French cuisine · Meat & Kebab

Beef Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Juicy ground beef meatballs with parsley and garlic, finished braising in a herby tomato sauce.

Ingredients · for 4 servings

• 600 g ground beef
• 1 onion
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 egg
• 50 g breadcrumbs
• 1/2 bunch flat-leaf parsley
• 800 g chopped tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp herbes de Provence
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp sugar
• Salt, pepper

Instructions

1. Finely dice the onion, grate two garlic cloves and finely chop the parsley; knead half of the diced onion with garlic, parsley, egg, breadcrumbs, salt and pepper into the ground beef.
2. Let the mixture rest cold for 10 min, then shape with damp hands into 16 equal balls of about 4 cm.
3. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a wide pan and sear the balls over medium heat on all sides for 6-8 min until they have an even crust, then remove them.
4. Sauté the remaining oil, the remaining onion and the third garlic clove, sliced, for 4 min, fry the tomato paste for 1 min.
5. Add the chopped tomatoes, herbes de Provence, bay leaf and sugar, put the balls back in and braise covered over low heat for 25 min, turning once gently.
6. Remove the lid, simmer uncovered for 5 min until the sauce is thick, remove the bay leaf, season and serve with baguette or pasta.