Description
Succulent Braised Meatballs with Peppers and Tomatoes invite home cooks on a delightful culinary journey through Mediterranean flavors. Rich, hearty ingredients combine to create a comforting dish that warms hearts and satisfies hungry diners.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 155 grams (5.5 ounces) ground beef
- 155 grams (5.5 ounces) ground pork
- 1 egg
- 40 grams (1.4 ounces) parmesan cheese
Binding and Seasoning:
- 30 grams (1 ounce) bread, soaked in milk
- Salt
- Pepper
- Parsley
Cooking and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 shallot
- 1 red pepper
- 400 milliliters (13.5 fluid ounces) tomato passata
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon basil
- Water
Optional Toppings:
- Chilli flakes
- Extra cheese
Instructions
- Transform bread into soft crumbs by saturating with milk, then gently combine with ground meat and remaining meatball components, crafting 12 uniform spheres.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet and carefully sear meatballs until golden brown on all surfaces, creating a rich caramelized exterior; transfer to a holding plate.
- Within the same skillet, gently sweat minced garlic, finely chopped shallots, and sliced bell peppers until fragrant and slightly softened, releasing their aromatic essence.
- Pour passata into the vegetable mixture, incorporating fresh herbs, a splash of water, and appropriate seasoning, stirring to create a harmonious sauce base.
- Delicately nestle seared meatballs back into the simmering sauce, ensuring each sphere is partially submerged.
- Reduce heat, cover the skillet, and allow the dish to gently braise for approximately 25-30 minutes at a low temperature, enabling flavors to meld and meatballs to become tender.
- Once cooking is complete, verify meatballs are thoroughly cooked and sauce has slightly thickened, creating a rich, cohesive preparation.
- Plate immediately, accompanied by crusty bread, al dente pasta, or creamy mashed potatoes to absorb the robust sauce.
Notes
- Enhance bread soaking by using day-old bread for better texture and absorption of milk.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meatball mixture for a subtle heat and complex flavor profile.
- Consider using a blend of ground meats like beef, pork, and veal for more depth and richness in the meatballs.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs and use lactose-free milk.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 665 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 470 mg
- Fat: 47 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 29 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 46 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg