Special meatballs with onion sauce
Special meatballs with onion sauce
Who doesn't love meatballs? These delicious meatballs are a true symbol of traditional meals, bringing family and friends together around the table. Today, I present to you a recipe for special meatballs with onion sauce, inspired by cooking magazines, that will transform an ordinary meal into a memorable culinary experience. Combined with a rich and flavorful sauce, these meatballs are perfectly served with mashed potatoes or polenta, creating a perfect blend of textures and flavors.
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 1 hour
Total: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Number of servings: 4-6
Ingredients
For the meatballs:
- 500 g ground meat (a mix of pork and beef)
- 2 long, thin semi-smoked sausages
- 2 slices of bread (preferably a day old)
- 1 large onion
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- fresh chopped parsley, 2-3 tablespoons
For the sauce:
- 2 large onions (sliced)
- 1 can of diced tomatoes (about 400 g)
- 50 ml red wine (optional, but recommended)
- 1 bay leaf
- garlic, 2-3 cloves (sliced, to taste)
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- olive oil or vegetable oil, 2-3 tablespoons
Preparation
1. Preparing the meat for the meatballs:
Start by chopping the semi-smoked sausages and onion in a food processor. This step will ensure a fine and homogeneous texture that will blend perfectly into the meat mixture. If you don't have a food processor, you can use a very sharp knife to finely chop.
2. Mixing the ingredients:
In a large bowl, add the ground pork and beef, the sausage and onion mixture, as well as the slices of bread soaked in water or milk. Make sure the bread is well drained before adding. This step will make the meatballs fluffier. Add salt, pepper, and the chopped parsley, then mix all the ingredients well with your hands or a spatula.
3. Resting the mixture:
Let the meat mixture rest for 15-20 minutes. This will allow the flavors to develop and make the meatballs more flavorful.
4. Preparing the sauce:
Meanwhile, prepare the sauce. In a baking dish, add 2-3 tablespoons of oil and sauté the sliced onion over medium heat until it becomes golden and soft. Add the red wine and let it boil for a few minutes until the alcohol evaporates.
5. Forming the meatballs:
Preheat the oven to 200°C. Form meatballs of the desired size from the meat mixture, ensuring they are uniform for even baking. Carefully place them on top of the sautéed onions in the dish.
6. Adding liquids:
Pour in water and, if desired, a little wine, so that it covers half of the meatballs. Add the canned tomatoes, sliced garlic, and bay leaf. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent the meatballs from drying out.
7. Baking:
Place the dish in the oven and bake for 30 minutes. After this time, remove the foil and continue baking for another 15-30 minutes, until the sauce thickens and the meatballs are fully cooked.
8. Serving:
The meatballs are served hot, alongside creamy mashed potatoes or polenta. You can add a few fresh parsley leaves for a more colorful presentation.
Helpful tips
- Choosing the meat: Use a mix of ground meat with a moderate fat content to get juicy meatballs. A ratio of 80% lean meat to 20% fat is ideal.
- Variations: You can experiment with different spices and herbs, such as oregano or thyme, to give the recipe a twist. Additionally, adding feta or mozzarella cheese in the center of the meatballs will make them even more delicious!
- Thickening the sauce: If you want a thicker sauce, you can add a tablespoon of cornstarch dissolved in water 10 minutes before removing the meatballs from the oven.
Calories and nutritional benefits
This meatball recipe with onion sauce has about 400-500 calories per serving, depending on the ingredients used. Ground meat is an excellent source of protein, and onions and tomatoes provide antioxidant benefits and essential vitamins. Moderate consumption of red wine can also offer antioxidants, but it is recommended to consume it in moderation.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I use chicken meat?
Yes, you can use ground chicken, but you will need to adjust the amount of spices to compensate for the lack of fat.
- Can the meatballs be frozen?
Absolutely! The meatballs can be frozen before cooking. Make sure to wrap them well in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil.
- What kind of drinks can be paired?
This dish pairs very well with a dry red wine or a pale beer. Additionally, a fresh lemonade can be an excellent choice to cut through the heaviness of the sauce.
Personal note
This recipe for meatballs with onion sauce reminds me of family meals spent around the table, where everyone brought something special. Try making this recipe for your loved ones and you will bring a touch of joy and comfort to every plate. Enjoy your meal!
Ingredients: 500 g minced meat mix of pork and beef, 2 long and thin semi-smoked sausages, 2 slices of bread, 1 onion, salt, pepper, parsley. Sauce: 2 large onions, 1 can of diced tomatoes, 50 ml red wine, 1 bay leaf, garlic, salt, pepper, oil.
