Description
Tender, juicy meatballs slowly simmered in a rich red wine tomato sauce a comforting, elegant twist on classic Italian-style meatballs perfect for pasta or crusty bread.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1/2 lb ground pork
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 large egg
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
For the Sauce:
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup dry red wine
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, mix together ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic, parsley, egg, salt, and pepper until just combined.
2. Form into 1 1/2-inch meatballs and set aside.
3. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or deep skillet over medium heat.
4. Brown the meatballs on all sides, then remove and set aside.
5. In the same pot, sauté onion until softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
6. Stir in red wine, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly reduced.
7. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
8. Return the meatballs to the pot, cover, and simmer on low for 30–40 minutes, until the sauce is thick and meatballs are cooked through.
9. Serve with pasta, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread, topped with fresh basil or parsley.
Notes
Use a dry red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot for the best flavor.
These meatballs taste even better the next day as the flavors meld.
For a no-wine version, substitute beef broth with a splash of balsamic vinegar.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop Braised
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4–5 meatballs with sauce
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 880mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 155mg
Keywords: red wine meatballs, braised meatballs, italian comfort food, red wine tomato sauce