Mention 'beef meatballs in tomato sauce,' and my kids erupt in cheers—I'm instantly their hero mom. As a home cook who's perfected countless family meals over years, this recipe is my go-to: simple, economical, and a weekly staple that never fails to please.
Ingredients for 6 Servings
- 1 kg ground beef
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons tomato puree
- 3 tomatoes
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley
- 2 onions
- 3 tablespoons flour
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Simple Step-by-Step Preparation
Prep: 20 min - Cook: 25 min
- Peel and finely chop the onions, then chop the parsley.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, onions, parsley, and 2 whole eggs.
- Season with salt and pepper, then knead until well mixed.
- Form into small meatballs and roll them in flour.
- Blanch the tomatoes in boiling water until skins loosen, drain, peel, and mash with a fork.
- In a sauté pan, brown the meatballs in a drizzle of olive oil, turning regularly.
- Once golden, add the mashed tomatoes and tomato puree.
- Season again, stir gently, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes on low heat.
Serve hot with fresh pasta for a comforting meal the whole family loves.
Pro Tip for Extra Flavor
To elevate your meatballs without overwhelming young palates, mix in spices like 1 tsp paprika, saffron, or sweet pepper during prep. I often keep mine plain since my kids prefer the classic taste.
Affordable Ingredients Breakdown
- 1 kg ground beef: €9.64
- 2 eggs: €0.50
- 2 tbsp tomato paste (30g at €1.62/kg): €0.05
- 3 tomatoes (~360g at €2.50/kg): €0.90
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley (30g at €18.90/kg): €0.57
- 3 tbsp flour (45g at €0.95/kg): €0.04
- 2 onions (~200g at €1.85/kg): €0.37
