Slow-Cooked Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
Welcome to this delicious journey into making Slow-Cooked Meatballs in Tomato Sauce—a warm and comforting dish that pairs beautifully with pasta, mashed potatoes, or even on its own with crusty bread. This recipe not only brings together the rich flavors of homemade meatballs and a tangy tomato sauce but also makes meal preparation stress-free by using a slow cooker. The result is melt-in-your-mouth meatballs, drenched in a luscious, aromatic sauce perfect for any day of the week. Dive in and experience a meal crafted with love and patience.
Ingredients
- 500g (1 lb) ground beef
- 250g (0.5 lb) ground pork
- 100g (1 cup) breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 5g (1 tsp) salt
- 2g (1/2 tsp) black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 30g (1/4 cup) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 15g (1 tbsp) fresh parsley, chopped
- 5g (1 tsp) dried oregano
- 60ml (1/4 cup) whole milk
- 15ml (1 tbsp) olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 cans (800g/28 oz each) crushed tomatoes
- 15g (1 tbsp) tomato paste
- 10g (1 tbsp) sugar
- 120ml (1/2 cup) red wine (optional)
- 10g (1 tsp) dried basil
- 2 bay leaves
- 110g (1/2 cup) water or beef broth
Cooking Time
Total estimated time: 4 hours and 30 minutes
Instructions
Step 1: Prepping the Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, egg, salt, black pepper, minced garlic, Parmesan, parsley, oregano, and milk. Mix everything gently until well combined. Do not overmix.
Step 2: Shaping the Meatballs
Form meatballs approximately 4 cm (1.5 inches) in diameter and place them on a baking sheet. This recipe should yield about 20-24 meatballs.
Step 3: Browning the Meatballs
Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and bake the meatballs for 15 minutes until they begin to brown.
Step 4: Preparing the Sauce
In a skillet, sauté the chopped onions until soft and translucent. Stir in the tomato paste, add the crushed tomatoes, sugar, red wine (if using), basil, bay leaves, and water or beef broth. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
Step 5: Slow Cooking
Transfer the meatballs to the slow cooker and pour the prepared tomato sauce over them. Cook on low heat for 4 hours or until the meatballs are tender.
Step 6: Serving
Remove the bay leaves and serve the meatballs with pasta, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and parsley if desired.
Conclusion
Congratulations on making these Slow-Cooked Meatballs in Tomato Sauce! This dish represents the essence of slow cooking—a communal spirit where flavors meld together, resulting in a deeply satisfying meal. Enjoy the leftovers and feel free to modify the spices and herbs to your preference. Let your culinary creativity lead the way as you create memories through cooking.
