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If you are looking for juicy, succulent meatballs for your pasta dishes, or as a meat accompaniment, these meatballs will delight you.
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Meatballs with Tomato Sauce
Recipe by: Fae’s Twist & Tango (fae-magazine.com)
INGREDIENTS
Sauce
• 2 tsp vegetable oil
• 140 gr/5 oz onion, parallel cut
• 14 gr/0.5 oz/3 cloves garlic, finely minced/grated
• 600 gr/21 oz/6 medium tomatoes, de-seeded, diced small
• 1 tsp tomato paste
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper -or- 1/2 tsp hot pepper paste -or- both!
• smidgen of dried herbs of choice, i.e. oregano, thyme, basil -or- Italian mixed herbs (optional)
• 3/4 cup low-sodium broth, beef or chicken
For the meatballs
• 454 gr/1 lb lean ground beef
• 140 gr/5 oz onion, extra-finely diced
• 14 gr/0.5 oz/3 cloves garlic, finely minced/grated
• 35 gr/3 Tbsp Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
• 2 eggs beaten with fork in a small bowl
• 1/4 tsp turmeric
• 1/8 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
Options for pasta:
• 1 sprig of basil or 2~3 Tbsp of chopped parsley to sprinkle/garnish on the top
• grated/ground Parmesan cheese to serve on the side
DIRECTIONS
◊ Sauce: In a large pot, heat oil on medium, add onion and sautée until golden brown. Add garlic and stir for 30 seconds. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, bay leaf, salt, pepper, (hot pepper paste, dried herbs) and broth. Stir and bring to a boil. Lower heat to medium-low and simmer for 3 minutes. Turn off heat.
◊ Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine all ingredients for meatballs. Knead briefly until ingredients are mixed. Make 4cm/1.5″ diameter balls, rolling tightly between your hands (makes about 14). Place them in the pot with the sauce, in one layer. Turn heat to medium. As soon as sauce starts boiling, turn heat down to medium-low and simmer for 1 hour. Do not stir or turn the meatballs over. Periodically, check to make sure the liquid has not dried up. If needed, add some hot water. Dish out and serve!
◊ If served with pasta: For this recipe amount, bring a pot of water to a rapid boil. If desired, add 2 tsp salt. Gradually add 300 gr/10 oz spaghetti/pasta. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally for 9~11 minutes or until desired degree of softness is reached. Drain well and place on serving dish, arrange meatballs on pasta and pour sauce over. Garnish with basil sprig, sprinkle with chopped parsley and/or Parmesan and serve!
~ Buon Appetito! ~
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So, what’s cooking in your kitchen?
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I made this for friends last night. Where I live there is no turmeric (I know, awful right?), or nutmeg. I used five spice and cumin instead, and added red wine to the sauce. It was very good, thanks for a simple but tasty recipe!
Thank you for sharing your experience with the recipe. I’m glad it worked to your liking! 😀
Your meatballs are prepared so differently than I do, I can’t wait to try your recipe with the Persian touch.
Usually, I make my meatballs differently too. I saw this recipe (poaching style) some time ago, and adapted with (Persians preferred) spices to make it more interesting. The result, very flavorful, juicy meatballs! 😀 )))
These look delicious! And I love how you rolled up your pasta as a little nest for each of these yummy meatballs.
Thank you for noticing, Afra. 😀 )))
Meatballs are such great comfort food – and these look incredibly good. Great post Fae!
Oh Fae, that looks fantastic. Coming from an Italian, trust me when I say that this dish looks incredibly delicious. Wish I could have that very plate sitting on my lap right now as I watch the Olympics!
Grazie! Grazie! It really was good, however, make me feel better coming from and Italian! 😀 )))
Oh how great! It looks delicious!
Fae this looks delicious! I’m a huge pasta fan and definitely love classics!
Beautiful, Fae. Such classic flavors and lovely technique – with your own “twist and tango” or spin on the recipe with the turmeric. Now, where is the saffron?
Do you think a little diced celery would be nice in a sauce, almost like a bolognese? Your photos look gorgeous – paired with the ingredients, I am now hungry… and I just finished a hearty lunch. Take good care!
You brighten my day, Sweet Lady! Yes, celery would be great too. 😀 )))
These utterly rock x!
Yum! I love this–it looks and sounds so good!
Spaghetti and Meatballs are so good, I love meatballs, your’s look wonderful, you are channelling your inner Italian. Love it!
😀 ))) Yes, Italian recipes lately! 😀 )))
that looks delicious! I never thought about adding the nutmeg and turmeric! Can’t wait to try it out!
Oh my goodness. It’s lunch time around here and I should have known better than to come over here because now I’m just drooling and wanting some of this pasta and yummy meatballs. Perfect for a shekamoo like me! It’s fab, Fae!
I am a shekamu too! 😀 )))
Oh Fae, may I express the desire to have this dish today for my lunch??? it looks great, I’m going to prepare meatballs this saturday, I’ll put the turmeric, exactly you did! Thank for sharing!
Great! You’ll see how little of it makes such a pleasing result.
Looks delicious! And I love that you added hot pepper paste to the sauce.:)
Ooo.. yes! It gives that zing! 😀
Oh yum! What a gorgeous post Fae. I’ve had a bit of a craving for meatballs recently, not sure why… it’s been ages since I’ve made them. I do think that I need to try your version! Love the picture too x
Me too! After I make the jumbo shells, I wanted to have meatballs next, with pasta of course! 😀 )))
I love how you present your dish.
Merci beaucoup! 😀 )))
De rien
Poaching the meatballs in sauce as you have guarantees they are tender, I love that, THE best! Spaghetti with meatballs are on this week’s menu! Thanks for the inspiration
Yes, the best! 😀
This looks great Fae! When I was little, my family used to live in Martinez, California, and my mom had the same exact cutlery set! Seeing the spoon and fork you used in the pictures brought me back to my childhood
Hi Ninja, I’m glad it brought you fond memories. I’m sure you had many lovely meals made by your Mom with those spoons and forks. 😀
That looks simply delicious! Exactly what I feel like eating right now!
Ali! Where have you been Girl? So good to see you here. I made this a few days ago, and already I am craving for them. 😀 )))
Oh, I’ve been so busy! The past 5-6 months have vanished before my very eyes! But, I am back…just not very regularly! I’ve got a lot of catching up to do!
Yumm, Frank Sinatra’s favorite no ? I wish I could pop in and have some ! Looks so delicious…
I didn’t know that about the Ol’ Blue Eyes! I wish you could pop in and I will make them for you. I’d love to hear your stories for hours.
That would be the most fantastic treat !
Looks so refined yet hearty and delicious! I am intrigued by the turmeric – I need to try this! Grazie.
It’s a Persian thing, turmeric in everything! As you know, not only turmeric has many, many health qualities, but also it is being used for eliminating meat odor, giving delectable color and add subtle pleasing taste. Sometimes called poor man’s saffron. 😀 )))