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Tender, juicy meatballs simmered in a rich, savory tomato sauce. This classic comfort food is perfect over a big plate of spaghetti or stuffed into a hero sandwich for a hearty meal.
Prepare the Meatball Mixture
Form and Brown the Meatballs
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Tender, juicy meatballs simmered in a rich, savory tomato sauce. This classic comfort food is perfect over a big plate of spaghetti or stuffed into a hero sandwich for a hearty meal.
This italian_american recipe takes 90 minutes to prepare and yields 4 servings. At 873 calories per serving with 53.02g of protein, it's a moderately challenging recipe perfect for dinner or lunch.
Build the Tomato Sauce
Simmer the Meatballs
Finish and Serve
Increase the red pepper flakes to 1 teaspoon or add 1-2 tablespoons of Calabrian chili paste to the sauce for a significant kick of heat.
Press a small cube of low-moisture mozzarella or provolone cheese into the center of each meatball before rolling it into a sphere for a gooey, melted cheese surprise.
Substitute the ground beef and pork with a combination of ground chicken and ground turkey. Add an extra tablespoon of olive oil to the meat mixture to ensure they stay moist.
Use a high-quality plant-based ground meat substitute and a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water). Ensure the plant-based ground has enough fat content to stay tender.
The combination of beef and pork provides high-quality complete protein, which is essential for building and repairing tissues, supporting muscle mass, and maintaining overall body function.
The tomato-based sauce is packed with lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage and is linked to a reduced risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer.
Red meat is one of the best sources of heme iron, a form of iron that is more easily absorbed by the body than the non-heme iron found in plants. Iron is crucial for creating red blood cells and preventing anemia.
A serving of 4 meatballs with sauce contains approximately 650-750 calories, not including pasta or bread. The exact number can vary based on the fat content of the meat and the amount of oil used.
These meatballs are a good source of protein and iron. However, they are also high in saturated fat and sodium, making them more of a comfort food to be enjoyed in moderation. The tomato sauce provides beneficial antioxidants like lycopene.
Absolutely! This dish is perfect for making ahead. You can prepare it completely and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually improve overnight.
You can freeze them in two ways. 1) Freeze the browned, uncooked meatballs on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag. 2) Freeze the fully cooked meatballs in their sauce. Both methods work well. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
The most common causes of tough meatballs are overmixing the meat mixture or using meat that is too lean. Mix the ingredients only until they are just combined, and use a blend like 80/20 ground beef and pork for sufficient fat content, which ensures tenderness and flavor.
Yes, you can bake them for a slightly healthier, hands-off alternative. Place the formed meatballs on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until browned. Then, add them to the simmering sauce as directed. Note that you will miss some of the flavor from the pan-seared crust.