Meatballs with sauce

Meatballs with sauce - a simple and delicious recipe

Total time: 45 minutes
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 25 minutes
Number of servings: 4

Meatballs with sauce are a classic dish, perfect for a quick dinner or a hearty lunch. This simple recipe combines juicy meat with fresh vegetables, offering a savory meal that will delight the whole family. Let's get started!

Ingredients:
- 500 g minced meat (pork, beef, or a mix)
- 1 medium onion
- 1 carrot
- 1 bell pepper (any color)
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 egg
- 4 tablespoons of breadcrumbs (or soaked and squeezed bread)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Flour for coating the meatballs
- 50 g butter for the sauce
- 300 ml tomato juice or chopped tomatoes
- Oregano, basil, or other herbs (optional)

Preparation:

1. Preparing the ingredients: Before starting, make sure you have all the ingredients ready. Chop the onion, carrot, and bell pepper into small cubes. This step will help integrate the vegetables evenly into the meatball mixture.

2. Mixing the ingredients: In a food processor, add the minced meat, chopped vegetables, crushed garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper. Process everything until you get a homogeneous mixture. If you don't have a food processor, you can use a fork and mix well in a bowl.

3. Forming the meatballs: With wet hands, shape medium-sized meatballs (about 3-4 cm in diameter). Roll each meatball in flour, ensuring it is evenly coated. This will help achieve a crispy crust during frying.

4. Frying the meatballs: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the meatballs and fry them for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden and crispy. Do not overcrowd the skillet; fry in batches if necessary.

5. Preparing the sauce: Once the meatballs are fried, you can remove them to a plate and prepare the sauce in the same skillet. Add the tomato juice and let it simmer over low heat for 5-10 minutes. You can add oregano, basil, or other herbs for extra flavor.

6. Finalizing the dish: Place the meatballs in the tomato sauce and let them simmer together for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.

Serving:
Serve the meatballs with sauce alongside pasta, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad. An innovative idea would be to serve them in buns as mini-burgers, adding sauces and fresh vegetables.

Practical tips:
- You can customize the recipe by adding spices like smoked paprika or chili pepper for a spicier taste.
- If you want a healthier version, you can bake the meatballs instead of frying them. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 200°C for 20 minutes.
- Experiment with different types of meat or add grated cheese to the mixture for extra flavor.

These meatballs with sauce are an excellent choice for a nutritious and tasty meal, easy to prepare and full of flavors. Take advantage of this simple recipe and make it your favorite!