Jul 14 2026
Restaurants›D.H. Lescombes Winery & Bistro - Cottonwood Albuquerque›Pecan Pesto & Marinara Meatballs Recipe

Pecan Pesto & Marinara Meatballs Recipe

Inspired by D.H. Lescombes Winery & Bistro - Cottonwood Albuquerque
Time1h
Serves4

italian-style + house made marinara + local mesilla valley pecan pesto cream sauce + grilled baguette + american grana parmesan

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Ingredients

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For the Meatballs

For the Marinara Sauce

For the Pecan Pesto Cream Sauce

For Serving

Method

For the Meatballs

  1. 1

    Preheat the Oven

    Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  2. 2

    Mix the Meatball Ingredients

    In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, eggs, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, black pepper, and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until well combined.

  3. 3

    Form the Meatballs

    Using your hands, form the mixture into meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.

  4. 4

    Bake the Meatballs

    Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through and browned.

For the Marinara Sauce

  1. 5

    Sauté the Onions and Garlic

    In a large saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and sauté for another minute.

  2. 6

    Add the Tomatoes and Seasonings

    Stir in the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  3. 7

    Add Fresh Basil

    Remove from heat and stir in chopped fresh basil. Set aside until ready to serve.

For the Pecan Pesto Cream Sauce

  1. 8

    Make the Pesto

    In a food processor, combine Mesilla Valley pecans, fresh basil leaves, minced garlic, and salt. Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped.

  2. 9

    Add Olive Oil and Cheese

    With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until well blended. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese.

  3. 10

    Make the Cream Sauce

    In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the pesto with heavy cream. Stir until heated through and well mixed. Season with black pepper to taste.

For Serving

  1. 11

    Serve the Meatballs

    On a plate, serve a portion of meatballs topped with marinara sauce and drizzled with pecan pesto cream sauce.

  2. 12

    Add Grilled Baguette

    Serve with slices of grilled baguette on the side, and sprinkle additional American Grana Parmesan on top as desired.

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