Browned pork meatballs in a rich tomato sauce, topped with dollops of ricotta, fresh basil leaves and grated parmesan
WRITTEN BY
SERVES:
4 MINUTES
Prep Time:
15 MINUTES
Cook Time:
35 MINUTES

These pork meatballs are the weeknight dinner that makes the whole house smell like a nonna has moved in. Panko keeps them light, parmesan and parsley keep them interesting, and a quick brown in the pan builds the base for a garlicky tomato and passata sauce. The meatballs finish cooking right in the sauce, so it all comes together in one pan with very little washing up. A spoonful of ricotta or cottage cheese on top melts into the tomato for a creamy, tangy finish, and a handful of fresh basil ties it all together. Twirl it through spaghetti, pile it into a sub, or grab some crusty bread and a spoon.

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MEATBALLS NGREIDENTS:

  • 500g pork mince
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • ¼ cup grated parmesan
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil

SAUCE INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 brown onion, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • 1 Tbsp tomato paste
  • 400g can chopped tomatoes
  • 400g tomato passata
  • Salt and pepper

TO SERVE:

  • ½ cup ricotta or cottage cheese
  • Fresh basil leaves
  • Grated parmesan

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. In a large bowl, combine the pork mince, panko, egg, oregano, garlic, parsley and parmesan, and season with salt and pepper. Mix with your hands until just combined, without overworking.
  2. Roll the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs. You should get about 20.
  3. Heat 1 Tbsp of the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium–high heat. Brown the meatballs in batches for 4–5 minutes, turning until golden on all sides (they'll finish cooking in the sauce). Set aside on a plate.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining oil and the onion to the same pan. Cook for 5 minutes until soft, then add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  5. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, then add the chopped tomatoes and passata. Season with salt and pepper and simmer for 10 minutes.
  6. Return the meatballs to the pan along with any resting juices. Cover and simmer for 8–10 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through with no pink in the middle.
  7. Serve topped with a dollop of ricotta or cottage cheese, torn basil and grated parmesan.

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wonkybox

Pork Meatballs

Tender pork and parmesan meatballs finished in a garlicky tomato sauce, with a cool dollop of ricotta and torn basil on top.
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