You won't often find me calling my recipes "The Best" I'm not that kinda girl. It's a big claim after all and I don't like to brag! But I think these are the best meatballs in tomato sauce you can make. The recipe is simple tasty and super easy to adapt so what more could you ask for.
So why do I think these are the best meatballs in tomato sauce. Apart from the fact that they taste delicious, they are really easy to make so that's two big plusses. But the winning factor for me was their adaptability.
Depending on how the mood takes me, I make them Turkish style meatballs, or Moroccan style meatballs or Italian style meatballs simply by chopping and changing a few of the flavouring ingredients and what I serve them with.
Lamb, beef or pork mince
I have made these with lean mince lamb which is probably my favourite meat for meatballs. You could of course use all beef or pork. For Italian meatballs a mixture of beef and pork is the norm, but I can seldom be bothered to go to the trouble of buying two types of mince.
Of course Moroccan or Turkish Meatballs would never be made from Pork but let's face it these are probably only Moroccan or Turkish in name only, I make no claim to authenticity.
So assuming you are not restricted by which meat to use, go on and shake it up a bit to find the combination you like best.
The seasoning
Turkish Style
For my basic recipe I have been influenced by the spices used in Turkey. I have used Baharat Spice which is a blend of spices including cumin, coriander, paprika and cinnamon.
The Blend is used in Turkey and throughout the middle east. To compliment the meatballs I then added coriander, cumin and a little chilli to the tomato sauce.
I have chosen to serve this with brown rice cooked in a pressure cooker to save time, but any type rice would make a good side for these meatballs.
Moroccan Style
For a Moroccan style meatballs I simply swap the Baharat spice for ras el hanout a north African spice mix.
For the tomato sauce, I replace the coriander and cumin with some dried ground ginger and cinnamon.
Replace the sugar with honey. I would serve these with flat breads and some natural yogurt seasoned and topped with a sprinkling of ras el hanout.
Italian Style
For an Italian style meatball , I usually use beef and replace the spices with dried or fresh mixed herbs or fresh basil, in both the meatballs and the sauce.
I sometimes drop the chilli in the sauce depending on the mood. Although I am not a huge chilli fan, sometimes just a hint really helps bring out all the flavours.
I serve these meatballs with spaghetti or another pasta and a good sprinkling of chopped fresh parsley. Not forgetting the Parmesan cheese!
Step By Step Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
The Best Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
Ingredients
For the meatballs:
- 500 g lean minced lamb
- 1 tablespoon Baharat ras el hanout or dried mixed herbs
- ½ teaspoon salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 1 egg
- 4 tablespoon dried breadcrumbs
For the sauce:
- 1 large onion , chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic , chopped
- 2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon dried chilli flakes
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Instructions
To make the meatballs:
- Place the lamb in a mixing bowl with all the other ingredients and mix well with your hands until well combined.
- Roll into small balls about 2cm/1in thick.
- Place them in a frying pan and cook over a medium high heat until browned on all sides. Then remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside.
To make the sauce:
- Add the onion to the pan and cook gently for a few minutes until softened and beginning to colour. Stir in the garlic and spices.
- Stir in the chopped tomatoes and honey bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes until thickened slightly.
- Return the meatballs to the pan and simmer for 20 minutes, Season to the spice to taste and serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
So there you have it one recipe three styles of meatballs. Now thats what I call the best kind of recipe.
Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie says
I can see why you called them 'best'! They sound gorgeous 😀 Eb x
Jacqueline Bellefontaine says
Thanks, Eb as I say I don't usually bost the best often but in this case I do think it does deserve the title.
Jenny Walters says
What a fabulous family recipe. So versatile but packed full of flavour however which way to choose to flavour them. I find shop bought meatballs tough but have never made my own. Bet my children will love them. Will let you know how I get on! Thank you for sharing them with #CookBlogShare
Jacqueline Bellefontaine says
Ive never actually used bought meatballs before so I cant compare in this case. Trust me once you have made them once you will probably never buy them again so easy so why pay more.
Beth Sachs says
My family LOVE meatballs so I'll be definitely giving these a try soon! They look so tasty.
Jacqueline Bellefontaine says
Trust me beth they really are very tasty indeed 🙂
Nic | Nic's Adventures & Bakes says
Thanks for sharing 🙂 These look lovely perfect for a comfort food supper 🙂
Nic | Nic's Adventures & Bakes
Sabrina Sommer says
It looks delicious
Jacqueline Bellefontaine says
Thank you. Its one of our firm favourites. The boys are always happy if I'm making meatballs.
Sabrina says
When can I come around to try them 🙂
Jacqueline Bellefontaine says
I thought you already had. My mistake next time!
jenny paulin says
your meatballs look fantastic! it is a meal that all my family eat which makes a change! Of all the meatballs you make, my favourite is the Italian style ones served with pasta. I once made turkey tikka masala ones which were tasty, but my favourite are the Italian seasoned ones.
By the way, I love that you have added the nutritional values - is that a plugin you have added? x
Jacqueline Bellefonatine says
Thank you Jenny. Have to say until recently I mainly made Italian style meatballs, but I am getting a bit of a taste for the Moroccan style with flat breads and some yogurt. The nutrition labels are an add on to WP recipe Maker which i now use for my recipes (although I still have lots of past recipes to change). It calculates the nutrition as well as makes the label which makes it so easy.