Simple Meatballs Recipe

This Simple Meatballs recipe is a classic and flavorful dish, which is made with minced beef and quality plum tomatoes. It’s the perfect family meal, ready in about 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Simple Meatballs Ingredients

• 1 small onion
• 1 fresh red chilli
• olive oil
• 2 x 400g tins of quality plum tomatoes
• 2 slices of stale bread
• 250g lean minced beef or higher-welfare veal
• 250g lean minced higher-welfare pork
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 lemon
• 1 large free-range egg yolk
• 1 sprig of fresh sage
• 1 sprig of fresh rosemary
• 1 large handful of fresh peas
• pecorino cheese
• optional: a few sprigs of fresh marjoram

How To Make Simple Meatballs

1. Start the tomato sauce: Peel and finely chop the onion. Finely chop the chilli. Heat a splash of oil in a large pan over a low heat and gently fry the onion for 10 to 15 minutes, until soft. Turn the heat up to medium, add the chilli and the tinned tomatoes. Half-fill one of the empty tins with water, swirl it around, and add it to the pan. Season lightly and cook gently for 30 minutes.
2. Mix the meatball mixture: While the sauce simmers, blitz the stale bread in a food processor until fine, then tip into a large bowl. Add the minced beef and pork, nutmeg, lemon zest, egg yolk, and a good pinch of seasoning. Pick, finely chop, and add the sage and rosemary leaves.
3. Shape the meatballs: With clean hands, mix and scrunch the meatball mixture together until just combined. Shape into little balls, about the size of a gobstopper.
4. Brown the meatballs: Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a large frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and cook until they are browned on all sides, being careful not to break them up.
5. Simmer in the sauce: Once browned, carefully add the meatballs to the tomato sauce. Stir gently to cover them, then let them braise gently for 45 minutes, or until cooked through and the sauce has thickened.
6. Serve: Serve the meatballs and sauce in bowls, scattered with a few raw peas, shavings of pecorino cheese, and fresh marjoram leaves, if using.

Recipe Tips

• How to get the most tender meatballs? The key is to not overwork the meat mixture. Combine the ingredients gently with your hands only until they are just incorporated. Overworking the meat will result in tough, dense meatballs.
• Can I use just one type of meat? Yes, you can use all beef or all pork, but the classic combination of beef and pork provides the best balance of flavor and tenderness.
• Can I make these ahead of time? Absolutely. You can prepare the tomato sauce and the uncooked meatballs up to a day in advance and store them separately in the refrigerator. Simply brown the meatballs and simmer them in the reheated sauce when you’re ready to eat.
• Can I bake the meatballs instead of frying? Yes. For a healthier, hands-off method, you can bake the meatballs on a baking sheet at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, until browned, before adding them to the sauce to simmer.

What To Serve With Simple Meatballs

These classic meatballs are incredibly versatile and perfect with a variety of sides.

• A big bowl of spaghetti or your favorite pasta
• Creamy polenta
• Crusty bread for mopping up the sauce
• A simple green salad

How To Store Simple Meatballs

• Refrigerate: Store the cooked meatballs and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavor is often even better the next day.
• Freeze: The meatballs in their sauce freeze exceptionally well. Let them cool completely, then store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Simple Meatballs Nutrition Facts

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 550 kcal
• Fat: 30g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Protein: 38g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Try More Recipes:

• Sizzling Beef with Spring Onions & Black Bean Sauce Recipe
• Beef Carpaccio Recipe
• Roast Forerib of Beef with Beetroot and Horseradish Recipe