Meatballs In Tomato Red Wine And Basil Sauce With Fresh Pasta Recipes

SPAGHETTI MEATBALLS AND TOMATO-BASIL SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Bring a medium sauce pot of water to a boil over high heat, salt water and cook pasta to al dente 7 minutes or so, drain and quick-cool on a baking sheet.
• While pasta cooks, toast pine nuts. Make a thick herb pesto by placing the herbs, cheese, garlic and nuts in food processor with salt and pepper. Turn processor on and stream in about 1/3 cup olive oil - make the pesto very thick.
• Place meat in a bowl. Season the meat with salt and pepper. Add cooked pasta, egg, bread crumbs and half the pesto to the meat. Mix to combine and form into 16 balls, and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Let the spaghetti pop out of meatballs like porcupine quills. Coat balls with a little olive oil and roast 12 to 15 minutes until firm and golden in color. Remove from the oven and place on a serving platter.
• While meat roasts heat a healthy drizzle olive oil in a sauce pot over medium-high heat. Add onions and carrots, season with salt and pepper, and saute for 5 minutes. Stir in the stock, add tomatoes and crush with the back of a wooden spoon. Cook for 5 minutes more, then stir in remaining pesto and transfer to a serving bowl or 4 individual ramekins for dipping.

PASTA WITH MEATBALLS IN BALSAMIC TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; sauté until soft and golden, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and wine. Simmer 10 minutes. Add meatballs and basil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until meatballs are heated through and sauce is slightly reduced, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain; return to pot. Add meatballs with sauce and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl; sprinkle with 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese.

MEATBALLS IN TOMATO-WINE SAUCE

Steps:

• To make the sauce, heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over med-high heat.
• Add in the onion and garlic; stir/saute for a few minutes or until well softened but not browned.
• Add in the wine; bring to a boil; continue boiling 1-2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan.
• Transfer mixture to the slow cooker.
• Add in tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, pepper, basil, oregano, parsley, allspice, and bay leaf; stir to combine.
• Cover and cook on HIGH while you prepare the meatballs.
• To make the meatballs: add the ground beef to a large mixing bowl, breaking it up a bit with your fingers or a large fork.
• Add in the breadcrumbs, eggs, Parmesan, salt, pepper, basil, oregano, parsley, and allspice.
• Gently but thoroughly blend the ingredients, using your hands or a large fork.
• Be careful not to compact the meat, which will make your meatballs tough.
• Gently shape the mixture into 12 meatballs, each a little bigger than a golf ball.
• Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over med-high heat; add in the meatballs and brown on all sides, 6-10 minutes, turning carefully.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer meatballs to the slowcooker.
• Pour off any fat from the skillet, return to the stove and add the wine.
• Cover over high heat for 2-3 minutes, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the pan.
• Pour over the meatballs.
• If the meatballs are not covered by tomato sauce, carefully spoon some sauce over them.
• Cover and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours.
• Remove the bay leaf and serve meatballs and sauce over pasta.