How to Make the Tastiest Meatballs with Fresh Tomato Sauce

Growing up in Jordan, we didn’t call them meatballs—we made kufetah. This savory blend of ground lamb and beef, mixed with onion, parsley, and spices, was our go-to for comfort food. Inspired by both traditional Jordanian kufetah and classic Italian-American meatballs, this recipe combines bold Middle Eastern flavor with a fresh tomato sauce. Perfect over spaghetti, rice, or tucked into subs, these homemade meatballs are versatile, juicy, and unforgettable.

Ingredients: Meatballs With Fresh Tomato Sauce

 For the Meatball Mixture

• Ground Lamb and Ground Beef: Offer a rich and savory base, giving the meatballs a hearty and meaty flavor.
• Sweet Onion: Adds a subtle sweetness and depth to the meat mixture.
• Italian Parsley: Infuses a fresh and herbaceous note, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
• Cumin, Turmeric, Aleppo Pepper, Salt, and Pepper Seasonings contribute a well-balanced blend of savory, peppery, and earthy notes to the sauce.
• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing the meatballs, adding richness and enhancing the overall mouthfeel.

Tomato Sauce Seasoning:

• Large Onion, Celery Stalks, Carrots: Create a flavorful base, offering a sweet and savory foundation for the sauce.
• Fresh Diced Tomatoes (or One Can): Provide a juicy and vibrant tomato flavor, forming the sauce base.
• Tomato Paste (Dissolved in a Cup of Warm Water): Adds depth and thickness to the sauce, intensifying the tomato flavor.
• Salt, Black Pepper, Cumin, and Turmeric: Seasonings that contribute a well-balanced blend of savory, peppery, and earthy notes to the sauce.

Pro Tips for Perfecting Your Dish

Crafting the perfect meatballs with fresh tomato sauce is an art form, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Some swear by baking, others simmer in sauce, but I prefer pan-searing. It infuses the meatballs with a tantalizing crust that pairs beautifully with the rich tomato sauce. However, whether you savor them in sauce or solo, these meatballs are a delight. Now, let’s delve into some pro tips to ensure your meatballs are nothing short of perfection.

• Precision in Chopping: The finer you chop the onions and parsley, the smoother and more prosperous the meatball texture becomes.
• Savory Spice Blend: Mix spices into the meat to ensure uniformity, letting every bite tell the same flavorful story.
• Sauce Texture Choices: I have a love affair with chunkier tomato sauce, especially over rice. Yet, if silkiness is your game, blending is the way to go.

Pairing Ideas

Every culture boasts its meatball variant, resulting in diverse serving suggestions. In Italian American dishes, meatballs shine atop spaghetti or nestled in sandwiches, offering a fulfilling combo of protein and carbs. But don’t stop there! While I am fond of pairing them with vermicelli rice – letting the tomato sauce enrich the fluffy grains – they also sit perfectly alongside pasta or mashed potatoes.