favourite

Fresh herb meatballs

A simple meatball recipe

5 - 6

Serves

15 mins

Prep Time

20 mins

Cook Time

Sue Hamilton and Dana Alexander

Recipe author

Sue Hamilton and Dana Alexander

So simple to make, so easy to flavour as you wish, and terrific to make in advance and freeze. Seasonings are the key to ensuring that meatballs are full of flavour. We recommend a simple tomato sauce in this recipe, but you’ll find other variations throughout that spice up your choices and family meals. Meatballs are ideal as tapas, an entrée, or as a hearty meal. They are a great standby and a favourite with everyone.

Rate this recipe

Share

Ingredients

Meatballs

arrow

500g Quality Mark beef mince

arrow

1 egg

arrow

2 cups fresh breadcrumbs

arrow

a handful of parsley

chopped

arrow

a handful of basil leaves

chopped

arrow

1 tsp oregano

arrow

2 Tbsp tomato paste

arrow

1 tsp paprika

Tomato sauce

arrow

1 onion

finely chopped

arrow

1 garlic clove

crushed

arrow

A splash of white wine

arrow

400g chopped tomatoes

arrow

1/2 cup beef stock

arrow

1 small sprig fresh rosemary

finely chopped

arrow

1 tsp dried basil

Method

To Make Meatballs

1

Make sauce first. The longer it has to simmer, the better the flavours will be.

2

Heat a splash of olive oil and gently fry onion and garlic together until onion is clear and soft.

3

Add remaining sauce ingredients and bring to a gentle boil.

4

Turn heat down a tad and simmer gently, uncovered, for at least 10 minutes until sauce has thickened.

clock

Start Timer

5

While sauce is simmering, thoroughly mix all ingredients for meatballs in a large bowl.

6

Once thoroughly blended, shape each meatball from a tablespoon of mixture.

7

If you find the mixture is too wet, sprinkle over a tablespoon of flour, add a pinch of salt, then mix well.

8

Heat a splash of olive oil in a large frying-pan.

9

Cook meatballs in groups so they can be easily turned until browned all over.

10

Keep the cooked meatballs warm until they are all done.

11

If you want to freeze them, let them cool, and then place on a tray you can fit in your freezer.

12

Once frozen, put them in a container or freezer bag, label with date, and return to freezer.

13

Serve piled high on lightly toasted ciabatta that you have drizzled and grilled with garlic-infused olive oil, or eat on their own topped with tomato sauce.

Nutrition Information per Serving (249g)

Energy

1216kJ (290 kcal)

Protein

25.4g

Total Fat

8.4g

Saturated Fat

3.1g

Carbs

26.3g

Dietary Fibre

g

Sodium

350mg

Iron

4.1mg

Zinc

4.6mg

Vitamin B12

1.4µg