Description
A classic and comforting dish featuring juicy homemade meatballs simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce, served over fluffy white rice. This easy-to-make recipe combines tender beef meatballs with aromatic herbs and a rich tomato base, perfect for a satisfying family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (divided)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
Tomato Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
To Serve
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, chopped onion, half of the minced garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, and parsley. Mix gently until just combined to avoid tough meatballs, then form the mixture into small, evenly sized meatballs.
- Brown Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and brown them on all sides, turning carefully to achieve even color. This process should take about 6 to 8 minutes. Once browned, remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Tomato Sauce: In the same skillet, add the remaining minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the tomato sauce, then add sugar and dried basil. Stir the sauce well to combine all flavors.
- Simmer Meatballs in Sauce: Return the browned meatballs to the skillet with the tomato sauce. Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Let the meatballs simmer gently for 15 to 20 minutes to ensure they are cooked through and tender, absorbing the rich tomato flavors.
- Prepare the Rice: While the sauce simmers, cook the white rice according to the package instructions if not already prepared. Fluff the rice once cooked and keep warm.
- Serve: Plate the cooked rice and spoon the meatballs along with generous amounts of tomato sauce over it. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese if desired and serve immediately for a hearty, delicious meal.
Notes
- For a lighter alternative, substitute ground turkey for beef to reduce fat content.
- Add chopped bell peppers or carrots into the tomato sauce while simmering for added nutrition and flavor.
- Instead of pan-frying, you can bake the meatballs at 400°F (200°C) for 15 to 18 minutes to simplify the cooking process and reduce oil usage.
