Meatballs with tomato sauce

To prepare a delicious meatball dish in tomato sauce, we start by preparing the base of the sauce. We take a medium-sized pot and add a few cloves of garlic, which we cut in half, and a splash of extra virgin olive oil. We heat the pot over medium heat and let the garlic brown slightly, releasing its aromas. When the garlic turns golden, we remove it from the pot to avoid bitterness, then pour in 400 ml of fresh tomato juice, obtained from well-ripened tomatoes or a quality can. We let the sauce simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking to the bottom of the pot.

To enrich the flavors of the sauce, we add a bay leaf and a teaspoon of dried oregano. These ingredients will give a Mediterranean taste to our dish, and their aroma will blend perfectly with the other ingredients. Meanwhile, we prepare the meatballs. In a large bowl, we combine 500 grams of minced meat, preferably beef or pork, with a fresh egg, salt, and pepper to taste. We also add a good handful of freshly chopped parsley, which will bring extra freshness to the dish.

To intensify the flavor, we sprinkle a teaspoon of garlic powder, a little water to achieve a more homogeneous mixture, and finally, 50 grams of grated Parmesan cheese. We mix everything well until we obtain a uniform composition. From this mixture, we form meatballs of suitable size, approximately 9-10 pieces from 500 grams of meat.

Once the tomato sauce has started to boil, we carefully place the meatballs in the pot. We let everything simmer over medium heat, ensuring that the sauce covers the meatballs almost completely. If we notice that the sauce reduces too much, we add a little vegetable broth or warm water, so that the meatballs have time to cook evenly and absorb the flavors of the sauce.

After about 30 minutes, we check if the meatballs are cooked, and the sauce has the right consistency. Depending on preferences, we adjust the taste with salt or additional spices. These meatballs in tomato sauce are served hot, alongside a side of pasta, rice, or a fresh salad. Enjoy this delicious recipe that will delight the taste buds of your loved ones!