Meatballs marinated in tomato sauce

Marinated meatballs in tomato sauce: a delicacy for traditional food lovers

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Total: 50 minutes
Servings: 4

Marinated meatballs in tomato sauce are a perfect choice for a flavorful dinner, full of aromas and tradition. This simple and delicious recipe will bring a dish to your table that will quickly become a family favorite. Here’s how to prepare them step by step, along with useful tips and possible variations!

Ingredients:
- 600 g mixed minced meat (pork and beef for a rich taste)
- 1 medium onion
- 1 clove of garlic
- 50 ml sour cream
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for frying
- 150 g mozzarella or grated cheese
- 2 small cans of tomatoes in juice (or 1 large can)
- 400 ml tomato juice or broth

Preparation:

1. Preparing the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the minced meat with the sour cream, ketchup, egg, breadcrumbs, parsley, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to mix the ingredients very well until you get a homogeneous mixture. It is important not to add too much breadcrumbs to avoid drying out the meatballs.

2. Forming the meatballs: From the obtained mixture, form medium-sized meatballs with a slightly flattened shape. They will bake evenly and remain juicy inside.

3. Frying the meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the meatballs and fry them on both sides until golden and crispy, about 4-5 minutes on each side. Make sure not to overcrowd the pan to avoid lowering the oil temperature. After frying, remove the meatballs and let them drain on a sieve.

4. Preparing the tomato sauce: In the same pan, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and sauté the finely chopped onion and garlic. Let them soften for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the canned tomatoes and tomato juice, season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover the pan and let the sauce simmer on low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5. Finalizing the dish: Once the sauce is ready, add the fried meatballs to the pan and let them soak up the flavors of the sauce for 5-10 minutes. Finally, you can sprinkle fresh chopped basil and add slices of mozzarella or grated cheese, allowing them to melt slightly.

6. Serving: Serve the marinated meatballs in tomato sauce alongside creamy mashed potatoes. This combination will bring a delicious contrast between the rich sauce and the smooth texture of the mash.

Practical tips:
- You can add a pinch of sweet paprika to the meat mixture for an extra flavor boost.
- Instead of mozzarella, you can use telemea or feta cheese for a more pronounced salty note.
- If you want to turn the recipe into a lighter dish, you can bake the meatballs in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 25 minutes, turning them halfway through.

Marinated meatballs in tomato sauce are not only a simple and quick recipe but also a versatile option that you can adapt to your tastes. Enjoy this dish with your loved ones and savor every bite!

 Ingredients: 600g minced meat mix, 1 onion, 1 clove of garlic, 50ml sour cream, 1 tablespoon ketchup, 1 egg, 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons parsley, salt, pepper, olive oil, 150g mozzarella or grated cheese, 2 small cans of tomatoes in juice (or one large), 40ml tomato juice or broth.

 Tags:  meatballs in tomato sauce tomato sauce tomatoes in broth sour cream basil parsley mozzarella