Meatballs in Tomato Sauce Recipe
User Reviews
4.8
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Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
30 mins
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Total Time
35 mins
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Servings
4 servings
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Calories
314 kcal
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Course
Dinner
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Cuisine
North American
Meatballs in Tomato Sauce Recipe
Description
The Meatballs in Tomato Sauce recipe starts by preparing a tomato sauce with olive oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, diced canned tomatoes, honey, salt, and black pepper simmered gently for 15 minutes. The meatballs combine lean ground beef with grated onion, an egg, breadcrumbs or preferred binder, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and chicken stock for moisture. After shaping the mixture into 12 meatballs, they are added to the simmering tomato sauce, cooked briefly on each side, then covered and simmered for 15 minutes to finish cooking through while absorbing the sauce's flavors.
The dish results in moist, flavorful meatballs with a tender texture balanced by the sweet and savory tomato sauce. It can be served on its own, over pasta, or with bread for a filling meal.
Variations in the binder can soften the meatballs differently, with quick oats noted for particularly tender results. Different tomato types, such as fire-roasted, can add unique flavor accents.
Ingredients
Tomato Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 ounce diced tomatoes see notes, canned
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef lean
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup breadcrumbs see notes, or quick oats or almond flour
- ½ cup chicken stock
- ¼ cup onion use the juices, grated
- ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese grated
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the garlic and Italian seasoning and saute for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, honey, salt, and pepper and simmer the sauce, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Lower the heat if the sauce begins to splatter.
- Combine all of the meatball ingredients in a large bowl and use your hands to mix everything together. Divide the meat into 12 portions and roll it into balls.
- Place the meatballs into the tomato sauce and let them cook for 2 minutes. Turn them over in the pot then cover the pot with a lid and let them continue to cook for 15 minutes.
Notes
- Breadcrumbs, almond flour, and quick oats can all be used as binders; quick oats make the meatballs softer.
- You may substitute whole canned tomatoes crushed by hand for diced tomatoes in the sauce.
- Using fire-roasted tomatoes in the sauce adds a subtle smoky flavor if desired.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 314 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 = ¼ of the recipe | |
| Calories | 314kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 16g | 5% |
| Protein | 31g | 62% |
| Fat | 13g | 20% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Trans Fat | 0.4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 123mg | 41% |
| Sodium | 1610mg | 67% |
| Potassium | 525mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 169IU | 3% |
| Vitamin C | 2mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 124mg | 12% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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