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Creamy Tomato Basil Meatballs Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 58 reviews

These Creamy Tomato Basil Meatballs combine juicy beef and pork meatballs with a rich, flavorful tomato cream sauce infused with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese. Perfectly cooked on the stovetop, this comforting dish is ideal for a satisfying dinner that balances savory meat with a luxurious, creamy sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs:

  • 1.25 lb ground beef (80%/20% lean for juicier meatballs)
  • 1 lb ground pork
  • 1 egg
  • 1 1/2 slices dense bread (crumbled)
  • 1/2 cup minced Vidalia onion
  • 3 garlic cloves (pressed)
  • 3 Tbsp minced fresh basil
  • 1/4 cup diced sun-dried tomatoes
  • Salt, to taste
  • Fresh cracked black pepper, to taste

Sauce:

  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 3–4 garlic cloves (pressed)
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 3 oz tomato paste
  • 2 Tbsp sour cream
  • 3 Tbsp dry Parmesan cheese
  • Salt, to taste
  • 3 Tbsp minced fresh basil

Instructions

  1. Combine Meatball Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, egg, crumbled bread, minced Vidalia onion, pressed garlic cloves, minced fresh basil, diced sun-dried tomatoes, salt, and fresh cracked black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
  2. Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into meatballs about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Adjust size if you prefer smaller or larger meatballs.
  3. Preheat Pan and Cook Meatballs: Heat a large cooking pan over medium heat and add a couple tablespoons of cooking oil. Place the meatballs in the pan, cover with a lid, and cook, turning halfway through, until the meatballs are almost fully cooked and browned on all sides.
  4. Prepare Sauce Base: In a separate sauce pot, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the pressed garlic and sauté until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  5. Add Cream and Flavorings: Pour in the heavy whipping cream and whisk in tomato paste, sour cream, dry Parmesan cheese, and salt to taste. Continue whisking well and allow the sauce to heat through and thicken slightly.
  6. Add Fresh Basil: Stir in the minced fresh basil to infuse the sauce with herbaceous freshness.
  7. Combine Meatballs and Sauce: Once the sauce is hot, set it aside. Drain off most of the meat juices from the pan containing the meatballs, then pour the creamy tomato basil sauce over the meatballs.
  8. Simmer Meatballs in Sauce: Let the meatballs simmer gently over medium-low heat for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the meatballs to finish cooking through in the rich sauce.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground veal or turkey for pork to vary the meat flavor profiles.
  • Use fresh dense bread for best texture in the meatballs; stale dense bread also works well.
  • Adjust salt and pepper according to your taste preferences.
  • Serve these meatballs over pasta, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread to soak up the creamy tomato basil sauce.
  • Leftover meatballs and sauce keep well in the refrigerator for 2-3 days and can be gently reheated on the stovetop.

Keywords: meatballs, creamy tomato basil sauce, ground beef, ground pork, Italian comfort food, easy dinner recipe

Find it online: https://topreci.com/creamy-tomato-basil-meatballs-recipe/