My family loves Italian food and homemade meatballs are one of my kids’ favourite meals. There are perfect for making during the week as they are super easy and quick. I simply whip up my meatballs, pan sear them on the outside, then pour a jar of tomato sauce on top and pop them in the oven. I find roasting these in the oven in tomato sauce makes them nice and tender and it gives the sauce a nice rich flavour.
Author Nourish Your Life
Equipment
Spiralizer
Ingredients
Meatball Recipe
1poundlean ground beef or ground turkey if you prefer. Sometimes I mix half and half. I like to use fresh ground meat for these as I find if the meat has been previously frozen it can be quite wet and it doesn’t seem to taste as fresh or hold up as well as balls.
1Tablespoonparsley
1/4cupfinely chopped sweet onion
3/4teaspoonsalt
1/8teaspoonpepper
1/8tsp.garlic powder
1egg
Marinara Sauce Recipe
214.5 ounce cans stewed Italian tomatoes
16 oz can tomato paste
4tablespoonschopped fresh parsley
1clovegarlicminced
1teaspoondried oregano
1teaspoonsalt
1/4teaspoonground black pepper
6tablespoonsolive oil
1/3cupfinely diced onion
1/2cupwhite wine
Instructions
Meatball Recipe
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
Place all ingredients in a bowl.
Combine well using your mixer with the paddle attachment, your hands, or a large fork.
Gently form balls about 1 1/2 inches in diameter or use a mini scoop to form balls.
I like to sear my Meatballs in a cast iron pan to get a nice crust on the outside. *If you don’t have a cast iron pan you can also use an oven safe pan.
Lightly spray your frying pan with oil and then brown the Meatballs on all sides on med-high heat.
Once the Meatballs are browned add your favourite tomato sauce.
Next bake at 400 degrees about 15 minutes. Cut one of the meatballs to check for doneness.
Marinara Sauce Recipe
In a food processor place Italian tomatoes, tomato paste, chopped parsley, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth.
In a large skillet over medium heat, saute the finely chopped onion in olive oil for 2 minutes. Add the blended tomato sauce and white wine.
Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Notes
* Note- you can also freeze any leftovers. If freezing, let the meatballs cool, then place them in a freezer bag or container.