Italian Beef Meatballs

Classic comfort food for the whole family.

Classic Comfort

This meatball recipe is a crowd pleaser that tastes even better on chilly nights with a full bodied glass a wine.

Recipe

Italian Beef Meatballs

Yields 2 - 4 Servings

Ingredients

Meatballs

• 1 pound ground beef (80% lean recommended)

• 1 tablespoon dried oregano

• 1 tablespoon whole ricotta cheese

• 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan Cheese

• 1/2 cup Panko crumbs

• 3/4 teaspoon sea salt

• 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic

• 1 egg

• Freshly ground black pepper

Tomato Sauce

• (1) 24 oz can whole or crushed tomatoes

• 1/2 Vidalia onion, roughly chopped

• 1 teaspoon tomato paste

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 16 oz water, more as needed

• 1 tablespoon dried oregano

• 2 dried bay leaves

• 3 fresh basil leaves

• 2 tablespoons butter

Method

To prepare the meatballs, add all ingredients to a mixing bowl. Using your hands, knead until well combined. Using hands, roll into approximately six meatballs of uniform size. Set aside.

To prepare the sauce, melt butter in a large pot over medium-high heat.

Add onions and tomato paste. Sauté until onions are fragrant and soften.

Add canned tomatoes, water, oregano, bay leaves and basil. If using, crush whole tomatoes by hand or using a spatula.

Return sauce to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Remove basil leaves.

Add meatballs to sauce and partially cover pot with a lid. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens and meatballs are cooked through approximately 50 - 60 minutes.

Transfer meatballs to a plate or serving dish. Remove bay leaves. Pour sauce into blender. Process until smooth, approximately 30 seconds.

Spoon sauce over meatball, garnish with grated Parmesan Cheese and a basil leaf.

Enjoy over pasta or - as is our preference - serve with roasted cauliflower and roasted maitake mushrooms inspired by our favorite Italian restaurant in NYC.