Meatballs and “Gravy” — Campania Style!!

May 24, 2023May 24, 20230 10
Classic Italian Meatballs and Gravy Recipe
in Main

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 hour 30 min

Ready In

2 hours

Level

Easy

Rating

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
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Ingredients

3 lbs ground beef
2 cups wet stale Italian bread or 2 cups breadcrumbs ( see instructions below )
3 eggs
1/2 - 1 cup milk ( see instructions below )
1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley or 2 tablespoons parsley flakes
1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
4 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
3 cloves minced garlic or 1 tablespoon garlic powder
olive oil or corn oil , for frying
2 cans tomato puree
1 can water
1 can tomato paste
3 cloves garlic , crushed
2 tablespoons dried basil
1/8 cup red wine or 1/8 cup sugar
1 dash red pepper flakes , maybe ( HALT ! ! Add no more spices ! )

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe
8-10
Calories
553
Sugar
6g
Fat
34g
Meatballs and gravy have been a popular comfort food across the globe for decades. This dish is an Italian-American classic, known for its hearty and satisfying flavors. The meatballs are juicy, tender and dips well into the thick and rich tomato-based gravy. Although traditionally served with pasta, they taste good when and however served. This recipe has an Italian twist with the addition of dried basil, grated parmesan cheese and garlic, which elevates the flavor profile of the traditional dish.

Instructions

1.Soak the Italian bread in milk for a few minutes until soft and then mash it with a fork.
2.Add the ground beef, eggs, garlic, parsley, dried basil, grated parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Combine the mixture well with your hands.
3.Shape the mixture into balls, about the size of a golf ball.
4.Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high flame and then fry the meatballs until brown around the edges on all sides. Remove them from the skillet and set them aside.
5.For the gravy, in the same skillet, add tomato paste, tomato puree, crushed garlic, dried basil, water, red wine (or sugar) and salt.
6.Cook the gravy for at least an hour making sure to stir occasionally and ensuring that it doesn't bubble and burn. The sauce should thicken with time.
7.Once the sauce has the desired consistency, gently add the meatballs back to the skillet.
8.Turn up the heat and let the meatballs cook with the gravy for another 15 minutes, ensuring that they are well covered. Serve hot and enjoy!

PROS

Classic Italian taste that everyone loves!
The recipe is easy to make and can feed a large crowd.
Meatballs and gravy also happen to be the perfect comfort food on a cold night.

CONS

The recipe may take some time to prepare and cook, making it more suitable for a leisurely weekend meal.
Also, the gravy could be high in sodium for some people’s diets.

Be sure to use high-quality meat if you’re trying to have a healthy meal.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

These meatballs are high in protein (39g) and fat (34g) which is essential for building muscle and maintaining a healthy body. Also, the tomato-based gravy is packed with vitamins and has antioxidants, which aid in fighting inflammation and heart diseases.
As with many things, moderation is key in enjoying this dish.

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