Hello, I have the most delicious and comforting recipe to share with you today, Meatballs In Tomato Sauce. Flavour packed ‘meaty’ meatballs made with both beef and pork and lots of herbs, cooked in the easiest tomato sauce you will ever make.
Meatballs are always a hit with my family, especially when served with spaghetti. It’s a classic combination for a reason. Alternatively you can serve them with mashed potato, baked potato, rice and even in baguette. And I suggest, if serving in baguette or rolls, top with lots of grated cheddar, pop under the grill to melt for ultimate gooeyness!
Since I use a combination of beef mince and pork sausage meat for these l meatballs as it gives them a rich, meaty flavour. While I do make them using all beef, they can be a little heavy. So, in my opinion the mix of pork and beef gives a better flavour and texture.
A quick note: Although there’s a bit of prep work involved in making these meatballs, the tomato sauce is so quick to make. Also, it really takes no longer than making a bolognaise sauce. And the meatballs really do make a delicious change so I think it’s worth it.
Recipe : Meatballs In Tomato Sauce
For the Meatballs
1 Large Onion
1 tbsp Olive Oil
675g/1.5lb Beef Mince – preferably with less than 10% fat content
450g/1lb Pork Sausage Meat – use the best quality you can afford
1 Large Garlic Clove
2 Fresh Sage Leaves – 1/4tsp dried sage
3 Fresh Thyme Sprigs – 1/4tsp dried thyme
1tsp Sea salt – I use Maldon
1 tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper
For the Tomato Sauce
2 x 400g Tinned Chopped Tomatoes
2tbsp Tomato Puree
1/2tsp Sugar
2 Sprigs Fresh Thyme – 1/4tsp dried thyme
1/2tsp Sea salt (1/4tsp free flowing salt)
1/2tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper
Making the Meatballs
First of all, peel and chop the onion as finely as possible. Add the oil to a frying pan and sauté over a low-medium heat for 5-10 minutes until the onion is soft and translucent, but not browned.
Set the pan aside and allow the onion to cool down. While the onion cools strip the fresh thyme leaves from the sprigs and finely chop the sage.
Next, place the minced beef, sausage meat, cooled onion, seasoning, minced garlic and herbs into a bowl.
Using a fork, gently combine all the ingredients together. I’ve found, if I squish them together using my hands the meatballs end up too dense.
Next, scoop about a teaspoonful of mixture and lightly roll into a ball in between your hands – wet hands make the job easier! Continue until all of the meatball mixture is used up. I managed 54 meatballs!
Heat the pan that you used for sautéing the onions on a medium heat – I didn’t add any more oil, but feel free if yours isn’t non stick. Add the meatballs so they only form one layer in the pan (overcrowding the pan means the meatballs won’t have contact with direct heat and won’t brown properly). Leave them for 1-2 minutes and then gently turn, repeating the process until the meatballs are nicely browned all over (as they were so small I found it easier to turn them in the pan using 2 desert spoons instead of tongs). Remove from the pan and place on a clean plate.
Making the Tomato Sauce
Using the same pan as before, discard any remaining oil safely – it will be hot so allow to cool and wipe the pan with a handful of kitchen roll. Now add 2 tins of chopped tomatoes, refilling each tin, roughly halfway with water, swill around to catch every bit of juice a pour into the pan. Add the tomato purée, herbs, sugar,salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and leave to bubble away gently for 30-40 minute. The Tomato Sauce is done!!
Finally, place the meatballs in a large, ovenproof dish and pour over the tomato sauce. Heat through for 30-40 minutes, until piping hot and then serve with pasta, rice, or chunks of crusty bread.
Also, this recipe can easily be a gluten and dairy free dish. Instead of sausage meat use pork mince as this will be free from rusk. Ensure any cheese as a topping is dairy free, there a lots of alternatives available.
If you have enjoyed this recipe for Meatballs In Tomato Sauce you may also like these:
Creamy Tomato Spinach Chicken Pasta
Tomato Thyme Garlic Focaccia Bread
Creating recipes that my family love and that I can share here on my blog is such fun. And you can trust the recipe because they are well tested. Since I’m aware of the cost of ingredients, it’s extremely important to me that they work every single time. Also they must be easy to make and delicious to eat. So that you can make them will full confidence. Resulting in a delicious dish that everyone that can be shared and feasted on by friends and family!
So whatever you are making, baking and creating in your kitchens, have fun preparing and sharing your feast.
Sammie x
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