Discover how to make delicious simplified meatballs in tomato sauce for a quick meal and tasty. In this article, we will give you tips and tricks to prepare this traditional dish loved by young and old.
Meatballs, a versatile recipe
Meatballs are a very popular dish, of European origin, but which has managed to cross borders and establish itself worldwide. They represent a culinary base that allows everyone to express their creativity and adjust the ingredients according to their desires and tastes. Thus, they can be made with different kinds of meat, such as beef, veal, pork or even poultry, and accompanied by various sauces, such as traditional tomato sauce or a cream sauce or even mushroom sauce.
Why veal is particularly recommended for this recipe
Although it is quite possible to use other meats to make your meatballs, we strongly advise you to prioritize the use of veal. Indeed, this tender and delicate meat brings an incomparable soft texture to the meatballs and a mild flavor, without overpowering the taste of the accompanying sauce. Moreover, veal is a low-fat meat, making it a wise choice to lighten your recipe and your meals.
Simplified preparation of meatballs
All the art of meatballs lies in their preparation, which involves mixing all the ingredients harmoniously to achieve an ideal consistency. We reveal here some essential tips to follow in order to make your meatballs without complication.
Establishment of the Meatball Base
To start your recipe, begin by gathering all the necessary ingredients:
- 400g of minced veal meat (or other)
- 1 onion(s)
- 1 clove of garlic
- 2 sprigs of parsley
- 3 tablespoons of breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs
- Salt and pepper
Chop the onion and garlic very finely, then finely chop the parsley. In a large bowl, mix these three ingredients with the minced meat, until you get a homogeneous mixture. Add then the breadcrumbs and the egg to bind everything, season generously with salt and pepper and mix again until the preparation is well amalgamated.
Making the meatballs
Once the basis of your meatballs is ready, all that’s left for you to do is shape them. To do this, slightly dampen your hands with a little water (to prevent the mixture from sticking too much), then grab a small amount of meat, in the desired size, and shape it into a compact ball. Then place this ball on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and repeat the process until the mixture is used up.
Cooking the meatballs
In order to optimize the cooking of your meatballs and avoid any unpleasant surprises, it is essential to proceed step by step:
- Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat with a drizzle of olive oil;
- Place the meatballs in the pan, without overlapping them, and let them cook for a few minutes on each side until they are well browned;
- Once all sides are colored, remove the dumplings from the pan and set them aside on a plate.
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Tomato sauce, the essential accompaniment to meatballs
The meatballs wouldn’t quite be the same without their famous tomato sauce. So here is the recipe, simple and effective, to enhance your dish:
- 2 onion(s) and 2 finely chopped garlic cloves;
- 800 g of canned crushed tomatoes;
- Aromatic herbs (basil, oregano…);
- Salt and pepper;
- Olive oil.
In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Then add the chopped onions and garlic and sauté them until they are slightly golden. Then add the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste, season with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs. Let it simmer for a few minutes to heat everything up before moving on to the next step.
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Mixing the meatballs and tomato sauce
To perfect your recipe for simplified meatballs in tomato sauce, all you have to do is incorporate the meatballs into the saucepan with the sauce, in order to coat them generously. Take care to gently stir to prevent the precious spheres of meat from breaking apart! Let simmer for a few minutes so that the flavors intensify mutually. Serve hot, with rice or pasta, and enjoy with family or friends this succulent recipe revisiting a classic from the culinary repertoire.