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5.0 from 9 votes

Easy Bacon Meatballs with Creamy Polenta

These savory bacon meatballs are so juicy and delicious served over creamy polenta. Such a cozy, warming comfort food meal and so simple to make.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 398 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

For the meatballs
  • 6 trips streaky bacon finely chopped
  • 1 onion finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 lices white bread
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 500 g (1lb) ground beef / beef mince
  • 2 tsp Italian herbs / Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp salt & pepper to taste
For the tomato sauce
  • 1 onion finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 800 g (28oz) crushed tomatoes
  • ½ cup fresh basil leaves
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Start by cooking the bacon, diced onion and minced garlic together in a large pan set over medium-high heat until the onion is soft and the bacon is starting to crisp.
  2. Remove from the pan and add to a large mixing bowl. Allow to cool.
  3. Cut the crusts off the white bread then place in a small bowl. Pour the milk over the bread and allow to soak for 5 minutes.
  4. Once the bacon is cool, add to a large mixing bowl along with the soaked bread, beaten egg, beef and all the seasoning.
  5. Mix well then form meatballs with wet hands. This prevent the meatball mixture from sticking to your hands. You can also use an ice cream scoop to portion out the meatballs and form them lightly. 
  6. Cook the meatballs in a large, deep skillet or pan over medium-high heat in a splash of olive oil until golden brown on all sides.
  7. Remove from the pan and set aside.
  8. Make the tomato sauce in the same pan by sautéing another chopped onion, garlic and fresh basil then pour in two cans of crushed tomatoes and a half can of water.
  9. Season with salt and pepper then bring to a simmer and add the meatballs.
  10. Cook for 15 minutes until the meatballs are tender and cooked through then serve over cream polenta topped with Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Information

Calories 398kcal (20%) Carbohydrates 29g (10%) Protein 40g (80%) Fat 14g (22%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Polyunsaturated Fat 3g Monounsaturated Fat 6g Trans Fat 0.4g Cholesterol 102mg (34%) Sodium 1568mg (65%) Potassium 1262mg (36%) Fiber 5g (20%) Sugar 13g (26%) Vitamin A 621IU (12%) Vitamin C 24mg (27%) Calcium 153mg (15%) Iron 7mg (39%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 398

% Daily Value*

Calories 398kcal 20%
Carbohydrates 29g 10%
Protein 40g 80%
Fat 14g 22%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g 18%
Monounsaturated Fat 6g 30%
Trans Fat 0.4g 20%
Cholesterol 102mg 34%
Sodium 1568mg 65%
Potassium 1262mg 27%
Fiber 5g 20%
Sugar 13g 26%
Vitamin A 621IU 12%
Vitamin C 24mg 27%
Calcium 153mg 15%
Iron 7mg 39%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.