Italian meatballs

Certainly! Here’s a classic recipe for Italian meatballs:

Ingredients:

For the Meatballs:

• 1 pound ground beef (a mix of pork and veal can also be used)
• 1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large egg
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil (for frying)

For the Tomato Sauce:

• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

Making the Meatballs:

1. Preheat Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mixing the Meatball Ingredients:
   • In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, minced garlic, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
3. Forming Meatballs:
   • Shape the mixture into meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. You can use your hands or a cookie scoop for uniform size.
4. Frying Meatballs:
   • Heat a bit of olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides, working in batches if necessary. This step is to sear the meatballs and develop flavor.
5. Making the Tomato Sauce:
   • In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
   • Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
6. Baking:
   • Return the seared meatballs to the skillet with the tomato sauce. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through.
7. Garnish and Serve:
   • Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh basil. Serve the meatballs over cooked pasta or on their own. They also make great meatball subs!

Enjoy these flavorful Italian meatballs with your favorite pasta or as a tasty appetizer!