Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsRicobene'sMeatball Recipe

Meatball Recipe

Inspired by Ricobene's
Time1h
Serves4

Served with Red Gravy.

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Ingredients

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Meatballs

Red Gravy

Method

Meatballs

  1. 1

    Prepare the Meatball Mixture

    In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, bread crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, egg, chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.

  2. 2

    Form the Meatballs

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

  3. 3

    Bake the Meatballs

    Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the meatballs for 20-25 minutes or until they are browned and cooked through.

Red Gravy

  1. 4

    Sauté the Aromatics

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

  2. 5

    Add Tomatoes and Seasonings

    Stir in the crushed tomatoes, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and sugar. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  3. 6

    Finish the Gravy

    Add the chopped fresh basil to the gravy just before serving. Adjust seasoning as necessary.

Combine and Serve

  1. 7

    Combine Meatballs and Gravy

    Once the meatballs are cooked, add them to the red gravy and let them simmer together for an additional 5-10 minutes to meld the flavors.

  2. 8

    Serve

    Serve the meatballs hot, topped with red gravy over pasta, rice, or on their own. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired.

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