Much to Do About Meatballs
As many of you know by now, I love meatballs.
Big ones, small ones.
On sandwiches or over pasta.
Baked, sauteed, or cooked for hours…
I love meatballs.
I’ve posted my (well, Ben’s, as he is the resident meatball king) recipe before. But then one quiet afternoon, with Ben away and a cool breeze in the air, something magical happened in my giant steel pot.
A new meatball recipe was born.
While the previous meatballs were good, these were even better. They were tender without falling apart, juicy without being soggy, big without being ridiculous and as good as pasta as on toast. The sauce was thick, full of flavor and simple to make.
I proclaim myself the Meatball Queen.
And as the Queen of Meatballs, I order you to have a large bowl of them tonight for supper. No need to fool with pasta or rice or bread or a salad, oh no. We must focus on all things meatballs, the deliciousness of this simple food that will have you hitting your knees and giving thanks to the Meatball Saints above.
Of course there’s Meatball Saints. Where else do delicious meatballs come from?
The Queen of Meatballs’ Recipe
Sauce (per lb. of beef)
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup green sweet pepper
1/2 cup chopped celery
2 cloves garlic
4 cups chopped, peeled tomatoes or two cans 14 1/2 ounce canned chopped tomatoes (The Queen of Meatballs prefers the latter)
2 6 oz. can of tomato paste
1/3 cup of water
2 tbl. fresh parsley
2 tbl. dried basil
1 tbl. dried oregano
1 tblspn. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
Store bought spaghetti sauce (I used a jar of prego, to give it additional flavor and volume.)
1) Sweat onions, celery and green peppers in tablespoon of olive oil until onions are clear.
2) While it’s sweating, puree the tomatoes until you get a chunky liquid. The rest of the tomatoes will break down while cooking.
3) To your sweating veggies, add tomatoes, garlic, tomato paste, water, seasonings, sugar, salt and pepper. Stir and let simmer.
4) 15 or so minutes later, add additional store bought spaghetti sauce. (You can just cook several batches of this, but I ran out of tomatoes, so I had to add Prego since I had so many meatballs. I’m the Queen of Meatballs. I’m always right.)
Meanwhile, make your meatballs:
2 lb. ground beef (I used extra lean for health reasons, use what you like.)
Parmesan cheese
Panko bread crumbs
Garlic powder
onion powder
Salt
Pepper
2 eggs
Now Meatball-loving Invisible Friends, you’re going to get messy. Ain’t nothing you can do about it.
Mix the Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, onion and garlic powders, salt and pepper in a bowl (or shiny metal pan like seen here.) Roll up a spoon full size ball of meat and squish flat, like a hamburger patty. Dip in egg, then in breadcrumb mix. Roll into ball. Place in another pan. Repeat until all meatballs are created. You’ll adapt your own rhythm and method by the fiftieth meatball or so.
Dump the meatballs in the sauce, stir. Simmer on low for minimum of two hours, three for best results. No longer or the meatballs will fall apart. Serve over pasta or on bread smothered with mozzarella cheese.
And then, and then my Invisible Friends, you will understand my ode to meatballs and how I love thee.
There’s much to love about meatballs, you see.
Stay tuned, Invisible Friends! Tomorrow we have a new Dallas Jean and this weekend, a critter confession from a Flying Pig you can’t miss! Stay tuned!
And if you know any artists who should be featured in my 12 artists of Christmas, shoot me an e-mail and tell me!
November 19th, 2009 at 3:09 am
Oh yum! I’ve been looking for a new meatball recipe! Thanks!
November 19th, 2009 at 3:50 am
As I said before nothing beats good meatballs. Just doesnt sound right how I worded that;)
November 19th, 2009 at 4:29 am
awesome -thanks for the recipe!!
November 19th, 2009 at 4:43 am
Good meatballs are hard to beat!
November 19th, 2009 at 4:44 am
You can’t beat a good meatball! er… That didn’t sound right… Nevermind. :p
November 19th, 2009 at 4:45 am
My comments keep getting eaten. *pout*
Anyways…. You can’t beat a good meatball. Err… That didn’t sound right. Nevermind!
November 19th, 2009 at 5:46 am
Great recipe – thanks!
November 19th, 2009 at 6:05 am
My comments keep getting eaten!! *pout* They were funny too…
Great recipe though…
November 19th, 2009 at 6:09 am
MQ- you just found my Achilles heel- meatballs are one of the three salty things I ever crave- ooooooooooh glorious and I am so making them a la Meatball Queen the next time I make ‘em! Thank you for sharing the recipe but shame on you for giving me a really bad hankering
xoox
kHm
November 19th, 2009 at 6:12 am
I bet those Panko crumbs really do make it better. Thanks for the recipe.
November 19th, 2009 at 6:21 am
Well, I do have one of my meatball recipes published in a small local cookbook, but your finished picture looked perfect!
November 19th, 2009 at 6:22 am
Yum! I use a blend of meats for mine, but I’ll have to try yours… since I just happen to have a couple of pounds of lean ground beef on hand.
November 19th, 2009 at 6:58 am
When I was a kid, my mom made sweet and sour meatballs. I used to beg for them. They were the best. As an adult, I’ve tried to make them a few times but they are not as good as I remember them and my kids don’t like them
November 19th, 2009 at 7:22 am
I always love all the recipes you share.
November 19th, 2009 at 7:28 am
Hooray for meatballs! These look fantastic
If I were going to be home tonight I just might fix up a batch of these. You have me craving meatballs 
November 19th, 2009 at 7:39 am
Dearest Queen Meatball,
Thank you for sharing this marvellous recipe. I cant wait to try it. They look absolutely scrumptious!
Love and kisses, HH
November 19th, 2009 at 7:47 am
Mmm mmm mmm!! I love makin’ meatballs and gettin’ all messy. That’s what makes cooking fun, right?
November 19th, 2009 at 8:05 am
Ooh yum! Thank you for the recipe, I’ll try them this weekend!
November 19th, 2009 at 8:08 am
I made a meatloaf just 2 nights ago and was on the ege of making meatballs. If I had known about the meatball Gods, I would have gone that way on a wing and a prayer!
November 19th, 2009 at 8:41 am
Meatball Queen, I am on my way over to your house for meatballs, BBQ, and pie!
November 19th, 2009 at 9:10 am
well, i guess i have no choice but to eat up these delicious meatballs! they look great!
November 19th, 2009 at 9:11 am
We love meatballs here too! Those sound yummy. Have you tried Ikea’s meatballs and sauce with the jam? OH MY WORD! Talk about simple and oh so good. Great for a 30 minute meal w/o worry or stress.
November 19th, 2009 at 9:24 am
Fantastico! I LOVE MEATBALLS!!! Om nom nom nom wanna come make them for me? No? Ok I’ll try your recipe
P.S. — I’d never heard the term “sweating” used in reference to cooking before. I thought that was just something I did when I tried to run to the mailbox and back. Iiiinteresting. You learn something new every day!
November 19th, 2009 at 9:37 am
I love meatballs too!! I am so trying this recipe!!
November 19th, 2009 at 10:00 am
yummmyy!! one of my very favourite!!
:D
November 19th, 2009 at 10:29 am
well congrats on getting your link fixed – that’s long overdue and also i think i have seen this meatball post before or am i losing it
November 19th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Yummy! I need to make this for my son!
November 19th, 2009 at 11:58 am
I made meatballs last night and totally changed how I make them. They got rave reviews. I think I should come over and we ciould make meatballs together. I also want to hear tyou say, “Mama Mia” with your Texas drawl! {{HUGS!!}}
November 19th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
What a fun post! I love the photo of meatballs piled high! This meatball recipe looks delicious!
November 19th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Your meat balls look delightful!! Yummie!!
How was the book signing?? Did it all went well?
November 19th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Yummy:-)
November 19th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
It’s cold and rainy right now – what I would give to have a big bowl of your meatballs in front of me. Yum!
November 19th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
Oh! Cannot resist meatballs
November 19th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Well, I was hungry before I hopped on over here and now I am starving. Who doesn’t love a good meatball? You always make my day!
November 19th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
I always prefer canned diced tomatoes over chopping my own. Just sayin’ you have to apply your labor intelligently. There’s only so much time in a day. All Hail the Meatball Queen and Thank the Meatball Saints for sending her!
November 19th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Ooh you use panko breadcrumbs!? Cool! And to answer your question, yes we have hot Summery Christmases here. The beach is usually involved as well as salads, fruit and fresh seafood. I bet it’s different from yours!
November 19th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Queen’s new meatballs are definitely a must try!
November 19th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Great recipe, you’re right, there is much to love about meatballs! And I LOVE your meatball stromboli idea!
November 19th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Dear Meatball Queen,
Please mail me a box of meatballs.
Thanks!
November 19th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Wow! You cook yours a long time. I bet they are really tender and the sauce really yummy from simmering. What an excellent recipe!
November 19th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
I LOVE THE MEATBALLS SERVED AT THE IKEA RESTAURANT.
YOUR RECIPE SOUNDS YUMMY!!
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND, DUCKIE!!
November 19th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
I’m vegetarian so don’t like meatballs. However, most people in Sweden are just lyrical about Swedish meatballs…
November 19th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Fantastic dish, with that delicious tomato sauce and the pasta!
November 19th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Meatball sub?! You’re actually giving me a recipe for making meatball subs?! *drool* I’m going to faint.
November 19th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
You guys are always cooking up something yummy!! Thank you so much for coming by with your well wishes for us!! We are mending, Mocha a little more slowly but she has her appetite back and hopefully now she can gain back some weight she lost!
Lots of love and hugs!!
Michelle and the kitties
November 19th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
YUM!
I’m so hungry… I have the midnight munchies and I can’t sleep!!!!
*DROOL*
Mmmm…. meatballs….
November 20th, 2009 at 6:38 am
You are hysterical Ms. Meatball Queen. Making me hungry for meatballs at 9:30am. Maybe I’ll go see my son at school for lunch and have a fish sandwich at 10:30am. Yah, he has lunch that early.
November 20th, 2009 at 6:38 am
Funny, Lon was our resident meatball maker so I just let him do it and never made them until one day, and then I was hooked.
November 20th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Miranda you get me hungry with your posts everytime I visit. I just love your warm photos and recipes. Yum! )
Have a wonderful weekend. ~Melissa
November 21st, 2009 at 10:22 pm
yummo! now that I am thinking all things Meat Balls — thanks to you — I am off to post one of my own recipes! thanks for sharing! deee-vine!!!
November 22nd, 2009 at 3:28 pm
LOL – first Tock Queen, now Meatball Queen. I guess it means you won’t stand on Bitty’s toes as Queen of the Pond.
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:38 pm
ooohh…I like you. =) stoppin by from SITS.