Italian > Meat

Ambrosiana Meatballs Recipe

Ingredients with Measurements:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup chicken broth

Special equipment needed:
- Large mixing bowl
- Baking sheet
- Large skillet with lid

Step-by-step instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, milk, egg, onion, garlic, oregano, salt, black pepper, parsley, basil, and mint. Mix well.
3. Shape the mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs and place them on a baking sheet.
4. Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
5. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
6. Add the crushed tomatoes and chicken broth to the skillet and stir to combine.
7. Add the meatballs to the skillet and spoon the tomato sauce over them.
8. Cover the skillet with a lid and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.


- Time:
Preparation time: 20 minutes
- Cooking time: 35 minutes
Temperature:
- Oven temperature: 375°F
Serving size:
- 4 servings

Nutritional information:
- Calories: 398
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Protein: 31g

Substitutions for ingredients:
- Ground beef can be substituted with ground turkey or ground pork.
- Breadcrumbs can be substituted with crushed crackers or panko breadcrumbs.
- Parmesan cheese can be substituted with Romano cheese or Asiago cheese.
- Chicken broth can be substituted with beef broth or vegetable broth.

Variations:
- Add diced bell peppers or mushrooms to the tomato sauce for added flavor.
- Use different herbs such as thyme or rosemary instead of oregano.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.

Tips and tricks:
- Use a cookie scoop to make evenly sized meatballs.
- To prevent the meatballs from sticking to the skillet, make sure the skillet is well-oiled before adding the meatballs.
- If the tomato sauce is too thick, add more chicken broth to thin it out.

Storage instructions:
- Store leftover meatballs and tomato sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating instructions:
- To reheat, place the meatballs and tomato sauce in a microwave-safe dish and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes or until heated through.

Presentation ideas:
- Serve the meatballs and tomato sauce over a bed of spaghetti or linguine.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves.

Garnishes:
- Fresh basil leaves

Pairings:
- Serve with a side salad and garlic bread.

Suggested side dishes:
- Caesar salad
- Caprese salad
- Roasted vegetables
- Garlic bread

Troubleshooting advice:
- If the meatballs are dry, add more milk to the mixture.
- If the tomato sauce is too thin, simmer it uncovered for a few minutes to thicken it up.

Food safety advice:
- Make sure the internal temperature of the meatballs reaches 160°F to ensure they are fully cooked.

Food history:
- Ambrosiana Meatballs are a traditional Italian dish that originated in the Lombardy region of Italy.

Flavor profiles:
- Savory, herbaceous, and slightly tangy.

Serving suggestions:
- Serve hot with your favorite side dishes.

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Region: Italian

Taste: Savory, Rich, Tangy, Herbal, Aromatic