Description
Tender and juicy meatballs simmered in a rich red wine tomato sauce infused with garlic and herbs for a deeply flavorful and comforting dish.
Ingredients
- For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for browning)
- For the Red Wine Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, milk, egg, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and oregano. Mix gently until just combined.
- Form mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown meatballs on all sides, about 6–8 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add olive oil and sauté onion until soft, about 3–4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Pour in red wine and simmer for 3–5 minutes, scraping up browned bits from the pan.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Return meatballs to the skillet, cover, and simmer for 20–25 minutes until cooked through and sauce thickens.
- Garnish with fresh herbs and serve over pasta, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread.
Notes
- Use a good-quality dry red wine such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot.
- Do not overmix the meatball mixture to keep them tender.
- The sauce develops deeper flavor if simmered longer.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired