Ingredients
Check off ingredients as you go
Makes about 20 meatballs
- 500 g (1.1 lb) ground beef (minced beef)
- 4 Tbsp breadcrumbs or matzo meal (or 300 g / 10.5 oz stale bread, crusts removed)
- 1 large egg
- 2 Tbsp water
- 1-2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1/2 tsp garlic powder)
- 1/2 bunch fresh basil, finely chopped
- 1 drizzle of olive oil
For the sauce
- 1 bottle (800 ml / 3⅓ cups) tomato passata (strained tomatoes)
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2-3 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 pinch dried oregano or herbes de Provence
- Salt, pepper
To serve
- 1 handful fresh basil leaves
In a large bowl, mix the ground beef with the breadcrumbs, the beaten egg, the garlic, the olive oil, the chopped basil and the water, adjusting the amount depending on the consistency. The mixture should be soft and easy to work with. Let it rest for a few minutes, or half an hour in the refrigerator if you have the time.
In a deep skillet (preferably nonstick), pour in 2-3 Tbsp olive oil and cook the onion until lightly golden. Add the garlic, then pour in the tomato passata and bring to a simmer. Add the bay leaf. Continue cooking for 10 minutes.
Shape the meatballs, about the size of a large walnut, pressing firmly in the palm of your hand (the mixture should be nice and soft and easy to shape). Gently lower the meatballs into the skillet (don’t be afraid to pack them in, they’ll shrink a little as they cook). Cover and cook over medium heat (a gentle simmer) without touching them for 30 minutes. When the time is up, you should have a nice, rich sauce. You can turn them over halfway through cooking. For a smooth sauce, remove the meatballs and blend the sauce (after removing the bay leaf).
Serve hot with a focaccia or small pasta, and sprinkle with fresh basil.
Tips and planning
- For tender meatballs, don’t skip the breadcrumbs/bread or the egg, and choose beef that isn’t too lean.
- For a no-fry version, lower the meatballs directly into the simmering sauce.
- Add cubes of grilled eggplant to the sauce, it’s delicious.