Pork Meatballs with Quick Marinara – Recipe!

Weekends are definitely the time to make meatballs.  Meatballs are not difficult to make, but they need just the right TLC to come out tasting magnificent.  The first decision is what meat you’ll use to create your meatballs.  Beef and pork are a classic preparation, but today I went with all pork for several reasons.  First, ground pork stays juicy and tender in almost any cooking environment, and secondly, Italian pork sausage, which I added to the mix, adds so much flavor to meatballs.

Browning meatballs is very important before dropping them into a sauce because it adds an outer layer you can savor, sort of an extra flavor bonus.  The browning process is pretty simple and the fattiness of the pork melts into the skillet, creating the perfect environment for achieving that crusty exterior.

As for the marinara, a can of whole tomatoes with a few other simple ingredients, blended in a food processor makes the most amazing sauce.  You won’t believe how quick and easy it really is to prepare such a great meal.

Ingredients

Meatballs

1 pound ground pork

1 pound spicy Italian sausage

1 egg

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons dried oregano

pinch of red pepper flakes

1 cup panko breadcrumbs

1/3 cup half & half

Marinara

28 ounce can whole tomatoes

1 clove garlic

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

pinch of red pepper flakes

cooked pasta, optional

(Serves 6)

To Prepare:

1. In a large bowl, combine all Meatball ingredients.  Using your hands, gently combine meat mixture.  Set aside for meat mixture to rest for 20 minutes.
2. In a food processor, blend up all Marinara ingredients and let rest until ready to cook.
3. In a large skillet, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and place over medium-high heat.  Form meat mixture into balls, about the size of a ping-pong ball.  Place balls into skillet and brown on all sides.  Turn heat to simmer and let meatballs rest while you warm sauce.
4. In a large pot, boil pasta (if using), and drain.  In same pot, add Marinara and cook over medium heat for 2 minutes.  Using a slotted spoon, add meatballs to sauce.  Turn heat to simmer and cook meatballs in sauce with covered lid for 20 minutes.  Remove and spoon over pasta.  Enjoy!