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Italian Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

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A cozy and comforting dish of homemade Italian meatballs simmered in a rich tomato sauce, perfect for family gatherings.

Ingredients

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  • 1 onion
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for sauce)
  • 2 cans chopped tomatoes
  • 70 g tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons basil
  • 2 teaspoons oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 dl cooking cream
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 450 g ground beef
  • 2 eggs
  • 2–3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 onion (for meatballs)
  • 1 garlic clove (for meatballs)
  • 2 teaspoons basil (for meatballs)
  • 1.5 teaspoons salt (for meatballs)
  • Olive oil (for frying)
  • Spaghetti

Instructions

  1. Start by finely chopping the onion and garlic. In a large pot, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Toss in the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté until they are fragrant and the onions become translucent.
  2. Add the two cans of chopped tomatoes and 70 g of tomato paste to the pot. Stir in the basil, oregano, and cayenne pepper, letting the flavors meld together. Now, pour in the cooking cream, allowing the mixture to come to a gentle simmer. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to your taste.
  3. While the sauce simmers, finely chop another onion and garlic clove for the meatballs. In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, chopped onion, minced garlic, eggs, flour, and the remaining basil and salt. Mix everything until well incorporated.
  4. With wet hands, take a handful of the meat mixture and roll it into golf ball-sized meatballs. Repeat until all the mixture is used up.
  5. In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs, being careful not to crowd the pan. Sear them on all sides until they are nicely browned.
  6. Once browned, transfer the meatballs into the pot of simmering tomato sauce. Let them cook for about 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to infuse and the meatballs to become fully cooked.
  7. While the meatballs are simmering, prepare your spaghetti according to package instructions. Once al dente, drain and set aside.
  8. Serve the meatballs and sauce over a steaming bed of spaghetti, and sprinkle with fresh thyme or parmesan cheese, if desired.

Notes

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze the meatballs and sauce together for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://ameliasweets.com/2026/03/24/italian-meatballs-in-tomato-sauce/

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