Beef Meatballs With Roasted Garlic Tomato Sauce
Beef Meatballs With Roasted Garlic Tomato Sauce
These grass-fed meatballs not only taste delicious, but they’re also great for the environment. Do your part and make a smart beef choice while enjoying these meatballs."The key to these meatballs is their simplicity. Use only the highest quality ingredients to let their flavors shine." - Picnic LA Executive Chef Alex Resnick
Servings
4
Ingredients
- 2 pound grass-fed ground beef (80 percent lean, 20 percent fat)
- 1 cup grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese
- 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup minced white onion
- 3 whole eggs
- 2 tablespoon cloves whole plus 2 tbsp. minced garlic
- 1/2 tablespoon dried oregano
- 2 tablespoon chopped parsley
- 28 ounce canned san marzano tomatoes
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup sweet basil
- kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
Directions
- How to make the meatballs:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Combine the panko bread crumbs and milk in a bowl and soak for 30 minutes. Sauté the minced onions and garlic until translucent in a small sauté pan. Strain the bread crumbs and mix with the onions, garlic, beef, eggs, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, oregano, and parsley. Add generous amounts of kosher salt and black pepper to season. Mix the ingredients well and shape into 3 oz. balls. Place the meatballs onto a parchment paper lined baking tray. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes until browned, then lower the oven to 350 degrees F and bake for another 15-20 minutes. Allow the meatballs to cool.
- How to make the sauce:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Place the garlic in an oven proof baking vessel and add ¼ cup olive oil. Cover tightly and roast for 30-45 minutes, until the garlic is very tender. Remove the garlic from the oil and purée it in a food processor until it is very smooth.
- Pour the tomatoes into another baking vessel and crush them until they are thoroughly broken up. Add the puréed garlic, olive oil, and remaining olive oil and mix well. Add a few pinches of kosher salt and black pepper.
- Place the sauce in the oven and lower the temperature to 350 degrees F. Cook for 30 minutes.
- Add the meatballs and cook for another 15 minutes.
- Serve the meatballs immediately in the sauce. Garnish with a generous amount of sweet basil right over the top.