Recipe: Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Perfect for appetizers or a light meal

By Katherine Minton

To simplify this recipe, use a store-bought tomato sauce instead of making your own. Or, for a different twist, try barbecue sauce.

Ingredients

Meatballs
1 lb   Ground beef
½ to 2/3 cup   Breadcrumbs
2 tbsp   Parmesan cheese, grated
1 tbsp   Tomato paste
2 cloves   Garlic, finely chopped
2 tbsp   Onion, minced
Dash   Ground red chili peppers, if desired
1   Egg, beaten
Salt and pepper, to taste
¼ cup   Olive oil

Tomato Sauce
1   14-oz can diced tomatoes
2 tbsp   Red wine
2-3 tsp   Fresh basil leaves, chopped
2-3 tsp   Fresh rosemary leaves, chopped

Method

• In a bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, cheese, tomato paste, garlic, onion, chili peppers, egg, salt and pepper
• Using your hands, form the meatballs (should make about 20)
• Heat the olive oil and cook the meatballs, turning often until cooked through and browned on all sides, about 10 minutes
• Add the tomatoes, wine, basil and rosemary – or store-bought sauce – and simmer gently until meatballs are thoroughly cooked, about 20 minutes