Herbed Meatballs In Tomato Sauce Recipes

PASTA WITH MEATBALLS AND HERB SAUCE

Steps:

• Mix together the basil, parsley and chives. Soak the bread in the milk for 5 minutes, then gently squeeze any excess milk from the bread; discard the milk. Combine the bread with the meat, 1 cup of the herbs and some salt and pepper; shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it. Put 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the meatballs in a single layer (work in batches if necessary). Cook, turning occasionally, until brown on all sides, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Cook the pasta in the boiling water until tender but not mushy. While the pasta is cooking, purée 11/2 cups of the herbs with 4 tablespoons oil, the garlic and some salt and pepper in a mini food processor or blender; leave the sauce rough or add a little water if you want it smoother. Drain the pasta, reserving about a cup of its cooking liquid. Toss the pasta with the herb sauce and most of the remaining herbs, adding the reserved liquid if the mixture seems dry. Top with the meatballs, garnish with Parmesan and the last of the herbs and serve.

CONTADINA® BAKED MEATBALLS IN TOMATO HERB SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil; coat with cooking spray.
• Combine 1/2 can tomato paste, egg, 1 tsp. each basil and oregano, onion powder, garlic powder and pepper in a large bowl. Stir in bread crumbs, Parmesan and raisins.
• Mix in turkey with hands or a large spoon until mixture is combined well. Shape into 16 meatballs, about 1 1/2-inches in diameter. Bake 20 minutes or until browned and cooked through (165 degrees F internal temperature).
• Meanwhile, stir together remaining tomato paste, diced tomatoes, 1 tsp. each oregano and basil, sugar and salt in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes. Add baked meatballs to sauce and simmer 5 minutes for flavors to blend. Serve meatballs and sauce over pasta with Parmesan cheese, if desired.

SPAGHETTI MEATBALLS AND TOMATO-BASIL SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Bring a medium sauce pot of water to a boil over high heat, salt water and cook pasta to al dente 7 minutes or so, drain and quick-cool on a baking sheet.
• While pasta cooks, toast pine nuts. Make a thick herb pesto by placing the herbs, cheese, garlic and nuts in food processor with salt and pepper. Turn processor on and stream in about 1/3 cup olive oil - make the pesto very thick.
• Place meat in a bowl. Season the meat with salt and pepper. Add cooked pasta, egg, bread crumbs and half the pesto to the meat. Mix to combine and form into 16 balls, and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Let the spaghetti pop out of meatballs like porcupine quills. Coat balls with a little olive oil and roast 12 to 15 minutes until firm and golden in color. Remove from the oven and place on a serving platter.
• While meat roasts heat a healthy drizzle olive oil in a sauce pot over medium-high heat. Add onions and carrots, season with salt and pepper, and saute for 5 minutes. Stir in the stock, add tomatoes and crush with the back of a wooden spoon. Cook for 5 minutes more, then stir in remaining pesto and transfer to a serving bowl or 4 individual ramekins for dipping.

HERB AND ONION MEATBALLS IN TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Meatballs: Preheat oven to 350° F (180° C). Combine soup mix with egg, bread crumbs, basil, oregano, thyme and pepper. Crumble in beef and using your hands to gently combine. Form beef into 28 meatballs, each about 1-in (2.5 cm) in diameter. Set meatballs on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, turning twice, or until cooked through. Transfer to an 8 cup (2 L) casserole dish.
• Sauce: Place half the can of tomatoes in a blender and pulse until smooth. Blend in tomato paste, garlic and pepper. Stir in remaining diced tomatoes. Pour sauce mixture over the meatballs. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Sprinkle shredded cheese over the centre of the dish for the last 5 minutes of baking. Serve with hot, cooked spaghetti.