Description
This Savory Red Wine Meatballs recipe delivers tender, flavorful meatballs simmered in a rich red wine and tomato sauce, perfect for a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner. Combining ground beef and pork with aromatic herbs and Parmesan, these meatballs offer a delicious, hearty meal that’s easy to prepare and sure to impress.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatball Mixture
- 1 lb Ground Beef (80/20) (Substitute with ground turkey or chicken; add extra olive oil for moisture.)
- 1/2 lb Pork (Optional; adds richness.)
- 1 cup Breadcrumbs (Substitute with GF panko or crushed rice crackers for gluten-free.)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (Can be reduced or omitted for dietary restrictions.)
- 1 large Egg (Use flax egg for vegan version.)
- 3 cloves Garlic (Minced for depth of flavor.)
- 1 medium Onion (Diced.)
- 1 tbsp Italian Seasoning (Can substitute with fresh herbs.)
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Pepper
Sauce
- 1 cup Red Wine (Use a dry variety like merlot.)
- 1 cup Tomato Sauce (Quality product for best flavor.)
Instructions
- Mix ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, optional pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, diced onion, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined to avoid overworking the meat, then shape into 1.5-inch meatballs.
- Brown meatballs: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking. Cook the meatballs in batches so they brown evenly on all sides without overcrowding the pan. Once browned, remove them from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare sauce: Using the same skillet, pour in the red wine and tomato sauce, stirring well to scrape up any browned bits left from cooking the meatballs. This adds depth of flavor to the sauce.
- Simmer meatballs: Return the browned meatballs to the skillet with the sauce. Cover the skillet with a lid and let the meatballs simmer gently for about 20 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F to ensure they are fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Serve: Plate the meatballs and sauce while hot. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and freshness. Serve alongside crusty bread or your favorite pasta for a complete meal.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute breadcrumbs with gluten-free panko or crushed rice crackers.
- Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef and pork for a leaner alternative; adding extra olive oil helps maintain moisture.
- For a vegan adaptation, replace the egg with a flax egg and omit the Parmesan or use a plant-based alternative.
- Choose a dry red wine like Merlot for the best flavor balance in the sauce.
- Ensure meatballs are cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F for safety.
- Adding fresh chopped parsley as garnish enhances the presentation and adds freshness.
