Description
Rich, tender, and deeply flavorful Red Wine Braised Meatballs simmered slowly in a robust red wine tomato sauce perfect for serving over pasta, polenta, or crusty bread.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
1 lb ground beef
1/2 lb ground pork
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup milk
1 egg
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil (for searing)
For the Sauce:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup dry red wine (such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot)
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, milk, egg, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper.
2. Mix gently until just combined, then form into 1 1/2-inch meatballs.
3. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Sear meatballs in batches until browned on all sides (they don’t need to be fully cooked through). Remove and set aside.
5. In the same pan, add olive oil and sauté onion until softened, about 3 minutes.
6. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
7. Pour in red wine, scraping up any brown bits from the pan, and simmer for 2–3 minutes to reduce slightly.
8. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, basil, and red pepper flakes.
9. Return meatballs to the sauce, cover, and simmer gently for 30–35 minutes until tender and cooked through.
10. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
11. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve hot with pasta, mashed potatoes, or bread.
Notes
For richer flavor, make the sauce a day ahead — it deepens overnight.
Use half ground lamb for a bolder flavor.
Leftovers freeze beautifully for up to 2 months; reheat slowly over low heat.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs with sauce
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: red wine braised meatballs, italian meatballs, red wine tomato sauce, beef and pork meatballs, comfort food