Mini Spicy Ricotta Meatballs
Growing up, one of my favorite things that my mom would make were her meatballs and fresh tomato sauce. It was beyond delicious. This is my appetizer version of that and it is super easy to make. If you want to make them bigger you can and just serve it over pasta for dinner! I like to make them small and let people pick them up with toothpicks. Theyre a little spicy but the tomato sauce offsets is wonderfully. Pair with a delicious red wine and you have the perfect appetizer.
Ingredients
| For spicy ricotta meatballs | ||
| Ground beef | 1 Pound | |
| Hot sausage | 1 Pound | |
| Onion | 1 Small , finely chopped | |
| Garlic | 5 Clove (25 gm) , minced | |
| Fresh parsley | 1/4 Cup (4 tbs) , chopped finely | |
| Basil leaves | 10 , chopped finely | |
| Bread crumbs | 2/3 Cup (10.67 tbs) | |
| Ricotta cheese | 1/2 Cup (8 tbs) | |
| Egg | 1 | |
| Salt and pepper | To Taste | |
| For simple tomato sauce | ||
| Olive oil | 1 Tablespoon | |
| Onion | 1 , finely chopped | |
| Garlic | 4 Clove (20 gm) , finely chopped | |
| Canned crushed tomatoes | 28 Ounce | |
| Water | 1 Cup (16 tbs) | |
| Fresh rosemary sprigs | 2 | |
| Sugar | 1 Teaspoon | |
| Bay leaf | 1 |
Directions
GETTING READY
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
MAKING
2. In a bowl, add in the ground beef, hot sausage, chopped onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, basil, bread crumbs, ricotta, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix together until combined.
3. Take a small amount of the mixture and roll into a ball and put on a sheet tray.
4. Bake in the oven for 25 minutes.
5. For the sauce – In a pan over medium high heat add the olive oil, onion, garlic, and salt. Let cook for about 5 minutes.
6. Add in the crushed tomatoes, water, rosemary sprigs, bay leaf, sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir together and let cook on medium for about 20 minutes.
SERVING
7. In a serving platter, place the meatballs and top with the sauce. Garnish with parmesan and basil, and serve with toothpicks.
Recipe Summary
Nutrition Facts
Serving size
Calories 370Calories from Fat 252
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 28 g43.1%
Saturated Fat 9 g45%
Trans Fat 0 g
Cholesterol
Sodium 497 mg20.71%
Total Carbohydrates 12 g4%
Dietary Fiber 2 g8%
Sugars 1 g
Protein 19 g38%
Vitamin A % Vitamin C %
Calcium % Iron %
*Based on a 2000 Calorie diet
