Your Daily Dish: Delicious Meatballs in Marinara Sauce

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We were always on the hunt for the perfect meatball – one that was tender and tasty, moist and meaty. Well, we our search is up because Chef Lisa has mastered the meatball with this recipe, a combination of fresh herbs, Parmesan cheese and garlic, topped with a simply sweet and delicious homemade marinara sauce. Bravo, Lisa.

Ingredients

Marinara Sauce

1 medium white onion, chopped
4 large garlic cloves, minced
3 tbsp olive oil
3 (28oz/796ml) cans diced tomatoes
1/2 cup dry red wine
1 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
3 tbsp sugar

Meatballs

3 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups soft breadcrumbs (5 pieces of white bread, crusts removed, pulsed in food processor until crumbs)
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/8 cup chopped fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
3 lbs lean ground beef

Directions

1) For the sauce, in a large soup pot, combine onion, garlic and olive oil over medium-low heat and stir often until onion is tender, about 8 minutes. Add canned tomatoes, wine, salt, red pepper flakes and black pepper. Over high heat, bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes. Remove from stove and using a hand held or countertop blender, puree sauce to desired consistency. Stir in basil and sugar. Cover and return to medium-low heat, cooking 5 minutes. Season with salt to taste.

2) For the meatballs, preheat oven to 375°F. Line 2 baking sheets with aluminum foil and coat with non-stick cooking spray.

3) In a large bowl, combine eggs, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, parsley, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper. Add ground beef, mixing to combine.

4) Shape meat mixture into approximately 50 meatballs and place on prepared baking sheets. Bake for 20 minutes total, turning the meatballs at the 10-minute mark. Remove from oven and place meatballs on paper towel to drain off any excess fat. Place meatballs in marinara sauce and serve with cooked pasta.

Serves 8-10

Bite Me Bit: “I’ll sleep with you for a meatball.”-Victoria, ‘Victor Victoria’

Looking for a portable way to enjoy your meatballs? Try this satisfyingly scrumptious Garlic Toast Meatball Patty Melt, a hybrid of a hamburger, meatballs and a grilled cheese sandwich.

 

 

 

Whether it’s cruising the aisles at the Dollar Store or experimenting at the stove, we believe that every day can be a holiday.

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