Itsa Meatball

LARavenscroft's Note:

I started cleaning out some of my cookbooks that I'm no longer using and found this in "Your Fat is Not Your Fault" by Carol Simontacchi. I made a few changes to the herbs in the sauce from the original recipe and it was a nice change from my usual spaghetti dinner. Edited as per review -- one serving = five to six meatballs (depending on size).

• Total Time: 1 hrs 5 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 50 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 4

Yield: 20.0 meatballs

• 1/3 cup milk
• 1/2 cup oatmeal
• 1 lb extra lean ground beef
• 1 tablespoon onion, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
• 1 egg
• 3 tablespoons parmesan cheese, finely grated
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 (10 ounce) cans tomato sauce
• 3 garlic cloves, diced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 lb gluten-free pasta

Directions:

1. Heat milk in a small sauce pan and add the oatmeal.
2. Stir and let sit while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
3. In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, onions, parsley, egg, Parmesan cheese, oil, the oatmeal/milk mixture, and salt. Mix thoroughly but gently.
4. Without squeezing, shape the mixture into small round balls about one inch in diameter.
5. Bake the meatballs in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes. (Don't worry if they're not done all the way - they will continue to cook in the tomato sauce).
6. Meanwhile prepare the tomato sauce by combining the sauce with the garlic and dried herbs, salt and let it simmer gently while the meatballs cook.
7. When the meatballs have browned, add to the tomato sauce and slowly simmer, covered, for another 45 minutes or until the meatballs are thoroughly cooked. Stir occasionally to make sure the sauce does not stick.
8. Bring a pot of water to boil and add the pasta. Cook according to package directions.
9. Serve meatballs and sauce over pasta.

Reviews

[dr.momde47]

These meatballs were sooo delicious and easy to make. I used ground turkey instead of beef but did not change any other part of the recipe. My 4 1/2 year old son who is a very picky eater loved them and even had seconds. I will definitely make this again.

[BethanyRenae]

This is a wonderful meatball recipe and gluten free which is even better. They taste so good just by themselves. Also yum as a burger patty. I accidentally thought it was one finely diced onion not one tsp...but it actually was very delicious. I added a splash of soy sauce to the meat and a bit of the garlic in the meatball as well. This is def now my go to recipe for meatballs. Thank you for posting!

[jcroes]

This is my favorite meatball recipe. The milk and oatmeal must make the difference. I've made it with beef, turkey and a combo, all taste good. And I agree--make lots and freeze for later. Good for meatball sandwiches too.