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Italian Meatballs in a Red Pepper Tomato Sauce
5 from 14 votes

Italian Meatballs in a Red Pepper Tomato Sauce

This recipe features Italian meatballs made from ground beef and pork blended with egg, Parmesan, and herbs, cooked in a red pepper tomato sauce simmered to develop flavor. The sauce combines sautéed garlic, shallots, sliced red peppers, and tomato puree with oregano and basil for aroma and depth.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 12 meatballs
Calories: 125 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

MEATBALLS
  • 5.3 ounces ground beef 155 grams
  • 5.3 ounces ground pork 155 grams
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese (40 grams)
  • 1-2 lices bread 1 ounce / 30 grams / softened in a little milk, without the crust
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1-2 dashes black pepper
  • 1-2 tablespoons parsley fresh chopped
*If you prefer just ground beef then omit the pork and double the beef.
PEPPER TOMATO SAUCE
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 shallot minced
  • 1 red pepper sliced
  • 1 3/4 cups tomato puree 400 ml, aka passata
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon basil
  • 1-2 pinches salt
  • 1-2 dashes black pepper or hot pepper flakes
  • 1/2 cup water

Instructions

MEATBALLS
    Cup of Yum
  1. In a medium bowl mix together the ground beef, pork, egg, parmesan cheese, bread (squeeze out an excess milk and break into crumb size pieces), salt, pepper and parsley. Form the mixture into 12 equal size meatballs.
  2. In a medium pan add 1 tablespoon of oil and brown the meatballs, turning to brown on all sides. Remove from heat. 
PEPPER TOMATO SAUCE
  1. While the meatballs are browning start the sauce, in a large sauce pan add the 2 tablespoon of oil, minced garlic, shallot and sliced peppers (about 1/4 inch wide and 1 inch long or smaller if you prefer). Cook for 2 minutes on medium heat, then add puree, oregano, basil, salt and pepper (or hot pepper flakes) and water, mix to combine. Add the browned meatballs (remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and add to the pan), gently cover with the sauce. Cover* the pan and cook on low / medium until sauce thickens and meatballs are cooked. Approximately 25-30 minutes. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
*Uncover after 20 minutes if sauce is still very thin and raise the temperature a little to cook and thicken the sauce.

Nutrition Information

Calories 125kcal (6%) Carbohydrates 5g (2%) Protein 6g (12%) Fat 8g (12%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Cholesterol 32mg (11%) Sodium 159mg (7%) Potassium 274mg (6%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 2g (4%) Vitamin A 570IU (11%) Vitamin C 17.5mg (19%) Calcium 42mg (4%) Iron 1.3mg (7%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12 meatballs

Amount Per Serving

Calories 125

% Daily Value*

Calories 125kcal 6%
Carbohydrates 5g 2%
Protein 6g 12%
Fat 8g 12%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 32mg 11%
Sodium 159mg 7%
Potassium 274mg 6%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 2g 4%
Vitamin A 570IU 11%
Vitamin C 17.5mg 19%
Calcium 42mg 4%
Iron 1.3mg 7%

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