Absolutely Amazing Bolognese Meatballs
This Bolognese Meatballs recipe is not complicated and is completely nontraditional; this recipe is still delicious.
Ingredients
TO MAKE THE MEATBALLS:
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium white onion - diced
2 small carrots - diced
2 stalks celery - diced
1 pound ground beef (minced beef) - lean ground beef, I used 90/10- 2 ounces pancetta - diced
2 cloves garlic - minced
1 medium egg
½ cup breadcrumbs - soaked in milk
¼ teaspoon nutmeg - freshly grated
¼ teaspoon thyme
1 pinch salt - hefty pinch
1 pinch ground black pepper - hefty pinch- 4 tablespoons vegetable oil - for sear
TO MAKE THE SAUCE:
1 cup tomato - canned San Marzano, crushed
1 cup vegetable stock (vegetable broth or vegetable bouillon)
2 tablespoons tomato paste - double concentrated- 2 cloves garlic
- 3 sprigs thyme
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes- 1 pinch salt - to taste
- 1 pinch ground black pepper
Instructions
For the meatballs:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Heat oil in a pan, then saute onion, carrot, and celery until soft.
- Thoroughly combine ground beef, pancetta, garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, sauteed vegetables, nutmeg, thyme, and salt and pepper in a bowl.
- Portion into 2-inch balls (or larger if you desire, though cook time will be longer).
- Heat oil in a pan. Add meatballs to the pan a few at a time, searing both sides of the meatballs for 1 minute or until browned—place in a baking dish.
For the Sauce:
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add San Marzanos and vegetable stock, whisk in tomato sauce, thyme, red pepper, and salt and pepper. Cook for 10 minutes or until the sauce is slightly reduced.
- Pour sauce over meatballs and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until meatballs are cooked throughout. Enjoy!
Notes
I love to use San Marzano tomatoes whenever I cook with canned tomatoes, but if you can’t find them, regular canned tomatoes will be perfect.
Nutrition
Calories: 448kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 23gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 99mgSodium: 512mgPotassium: 637mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 3975IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 67mgIron: 3mg
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