Add Meatball Recipe
Make Add Meatball Recipe in just 1h . Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Meatballs
Sauce
Pasta & To Serve
Method
Meatballs
- 1
Soak crumbs
Place breadcrumbs in a small bowl and pour the milk over them. Stir and let sit 5 minutes until the milk is absorbed.
- 2
Mix meatball ingredients
In a large bowl combine ground beef, ground pork, soaked breadcrumbs, egg, grated parmesan, minced garlic (2 cloves), chopped parsley, dried oregano, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands or a spoon until just combined; avoid overworking to keep meatballs tender.
- 3
Form meatballs
Shape the mixture into meatballs about 1 1/4 inch (roughly 1.5 oz each) using a scale or by eye to make 18–20 meatballs. Place formed meatballs on a tray or plate.
- 4
Brown meatballs
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add meatballs in a single layer (work in batches if needed) and brown on all sides, about 6–8 minutes total. They do not need to be fully cooked through. Transfer browned meatballs to a plate and set aside.
Sauce
- 5
Sauté aromatics
In a large wide saucepan or Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5–7 minutes. Add minced garlic (3 cloves) and cook 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
- 6
Build sauce
Stir in tomato paste and cook 1 minute. Add crushed tomatoes, dried basil, dried oregano, sugar (if using), salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.
- 7
Simmer with meatballs
Carefully add the browned meatballs to the simmering sauce, nestling them so they are partially submerged. Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer gently for 20–25 minutes until meatballs are cooked through (internal temperature 160°F/71°C) and sauce has developed flavor. Taste and adjust seasoning. Stir in fresh basil leaves in the last 2 minutes, if using.
Pasta & To Serve
- 8
Cook pasta
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 tablespoon salt, then the pasta. Cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
- 9
Combine and serve
Toss the drained pasta with a few ladles of sauce to coat, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce. Plate the pasta and top with meatballs and additional sauce. Sprinkle with grated parmesan and chopped parsley or basil. Serve immediately.