Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsBellaBravaTrattoria Meatballs Recipe

Trattoria Meatballs Recipe

Inspired by BellaBrava
Time1h 30m
Serves4

Pomodoro sauce, pecorino Romano, torn basil, grilled housemade focaccia.

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Ingredients

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Meatballs

Pomodoro Sauce

Grilled Focaccia

Method

Meatballs

  1. 1

    Prepare the Meatball Mixture

    In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, bread crumbs, Pecorino Romano cheese, minced garlic, chopped parsley, egg, salt, and black pepper. Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated.

  2. 2

    Form the Meatballs

    Using your hands, shape the mixture into meatballs about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

  3. 3

    Cook the Meatballs

    Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches, cooking until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Remove and set aside.

Pomodoro Sauce

  1. 4

    Sauté Garlic

    In the same skillet used for the meatballs, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and minced garlic. Sauté over medium heat until fragrant, about 1 minute.

  2. 5

    Add Tomatoes

    Pour in the canned crushed tomatoes and stir. Season with salt and sugar, and let simmer for about 10 minutes.

  3. 6

    Finish the Sauce

    Add the torn basil leaves and adjust seasoning if necessary. Return the meatballs to the sauce and simmer together for an additional 5 minutes.

Grilled Focaccia

  1. 7

    Prepare the Dough

    In a bowl, combine warm water and yeast. Allow to sit for about 5 minutes until frothy. In a large bowl, mix flour and salt, then add the yeast mixture and olive oil. Knead until a smooth dough forms.

  2. 8

    Let the Dough Rise

    Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

  3. 9

    Shape and Grill the Focaccia

    Preheat the grill. Shape the dough into a flat rectangle and place on the grill. Cook for about 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown. Optionally, sprinkle fresh rosemary on top before serving.

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