Wealthy, complicated purple sauce in minutes? Consider it. This daring skillet sauce comes from A Couple Cooks, the husband-and-wife duo recognized for turning easy, whole-food substances into effortlessly elegant meals. Their philosophy? Good meals needs to be nourishing, approachable, and—most significantly—scrumptious. The key to this recipe’s deep, slow-simmered taste with out the wait? Excessive-quality natural canned fire-roasted tomatoes. Roasted over an open flame, they add a pure sweetness and smoky undertone, elevating your sauce in seconds. Serve generously over pasta (as a result of extra sauce is all the time higher) or alongside their Lemon Pepper Broccolini and Coronary heart-Melting Garlicky Greens for a simple but elevated dinner.
These meatballs work with plant-based meat crumbles, too. Search for any plant-based floor beef or sausage (and dairy-free Parmesan if desired).
Recipe
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SERVES 4
Marinara Sauce
2 Tbsp olive oil
One 14½ oz [415 g] can crushed fire-roasted tomatoes (see Ideas)
2 handfuls contemporary basil, roughly torn, plus extra for garnishing
¼ tsp dried thyme
¼ tsp dried rosemary
½ tsp kosher salt
1 pinch purple pepper flakes
Meatballs
½ cup [40 g] panko
½ cup [15 g] grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for garnishing
2 garlic cloves, grated
2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp kosher salt
Freshly floor black pepper 1 lb [455 g] floor beef or plant-based floor beef
Directions
l Preheat the oven to 450°F [230°C].
To make the marinara sauce, in a big ovenproof skillet (see Ideas) over medium warmth, stir collectively the olive oil, crushed tomatoes, basil, thyme, rosemary, kosher salt, and purple pepper flakes. Convey to a simmer, then take away from the warmth.
To make the meatballs, in a big bowl, combine the panko, Parmesan cheese, garlic, oregano, kosher salt, and black pepper. Add the meat and gently combine along with your palms till it’s effectively included. Gently type 14 to 16 balls, about 1½ in [4 cm] large. Prepare the meatballs within the sauce within the skillet.
Bake till the meatballs are browned and absolutely cooked inside, 13 to 16 minutes. Take away from the warmth when the interior temperature reaches 155°F [68°C] (the meatballs will proceed cooking within the pan to 160°F [70°C]).
Utilizing oven mitts, fastidiously take away the pan from the oven and stir the sauce to coat the meatballs. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and basil and serve.
Ideas
In the event you’re planning to serve this as a sauce to cowl pasta, double the marinara sauce substances.
Keep away from utilizing a cast-iron skillet for this recipe. The acid within the tomatoes could make it impart a metallic aftertaste to the dish.
Can’t discover fire-roasted tomatoes? Use the best-quality canned crushed tomatoes you’ll find, add 1 pinch of sugar, and simmer for quarter-hour earlier than including the meatballs.
Repurpose leftovers as a meatball sandwich! Place crusty sub or hoagie rolls on a baking sheet, brush with olive oil, and season with kosher salt. Broil for 1 minute, then add the meatballs (reheated) and a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella cheese. Broil till the cheese melts, 1 to 2 minutes. Prime with chopped Italian parsley or basil.
Wine Pairing
Go daring with a California zinfandel. This purple wine, recognized for its fruitiness and spicy undertones, enhances the richness of the meatballs and the candy, smoky taste of the sauce.
Cooking Collectively
One among you can also make the marinara whereas the opposite varieties the meatballs. Toss them collectively and get a facet prepared whereas they bake.
For vegetarian Use plant-based meat crumbles.
For vegan Use plant-based meat crumbles and dairy-free Parmesan.
For Gluten-Free Use gluten-free panko.
Storage
Meatballs will hold, refrigerated, for as much as 3 days.
Food regimen: Vegetarian possibility, vegan possibility, gluten-free possibility
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