Juicy homemade pork meatballs simmered in a delicious tomato sauce with garlic, onion and bay leaf. A comforting family favourite, perfect served with creamy mashed potatoes, rice or fresh bread.
Meatballs in Red Sauce
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
For the Tomato Sauce
Instructions
-
Prepare the bread
-
Place the stale bread in a large bowl and cover with cold water.
-
Leave to soak for 2–3 minutes.
-
Squeeze out the excess water and break the bread into small pieces.
-
-
Make the meatball mixture
-
Add the eggs, chopped dill or parsley, grated onion and minced pork to the bread.
-
Season with salt and black pepper.
-
Mix everything thoroughly.
-
If the mixture is too soft, add 2 tablespoons of breadcrumbs.
-
-
Shape and fry the meatballs
-
Shape the mixture into evenly sized balls.
-
Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
-
Fry the meatballs on both sides until nicely browned.
-
Transfer them to a plate lined with kitchen paper.
-
-
Prepare the tomato sauce
-
Heat 2–3 tablespoons of oil in a separate pan.
-
Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 1 minute.
-
Pour in ½ glass of water and simmer until the onion softens.
-
Add the tomato passata, ½ cup of water, garlic, bay leaf, salt and black pepper.
-
-
Thicken the sauce
-
In a separate bowl, gradually whisk 1 tablespoon of flour into ½ cup of cold water until smooth.
-
Pour the flour mixture into the tomato sauce, stirring continuously to prevent lumps.
-
Simmer gently until the sauce begins to thicken.
-
-
Simmer the meatballs
- Add the browned meatballs to the sauce.
- Stir in the sugar and, if desired, the vinegar for a slightly tangy flavour.
- Simmer gently until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce is rich and flavourful.
Serve hot with mashed potatoes, rice or fresh bread. Enjoy!