Pesto Meatballs Creamy (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Tomato Pesto Mix
01 -
1/4 cup walnuts or pine nuts
02 -
1/2 cup freshly plucked basil leaves
03 -
2 garlic cloves
04 -
1/4 cup Parmesan, shredded
05 -
1/4 cup olive oil (use the oil from the sun-dried tomato jar if you’ve got it)
06 -
1 cup drained sun-dried tomatoes from a jar packed in oil
→ Meat Mixture
07 -
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
08 -
2 tablespoons tomato pesto, homemade or store-bought
09 -
1 large egg, cracked and beaten
10 -
1 teaspoon dried oregano
11 -
2 minced garlic cloves
12 -
1 pound of either ground beef, pork, or both combined
13 -
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
14 -
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
15 -
2 tablespoons oil for browning the meat
→ Creamy Sauce
16 -
1/2 cup sun-dried tomato pesto
17 -
1 small onion, diced into fine pieces
18 -
1 tablespoon olive oil
19 -
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
20 -
1 cup regular heavy cream
21 -
Fresh basil leaves as a topping
22 -
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
23 -
1/2 cup chicken or veggie broth (low-sodium works best)
# Instructions:
01 -
Toss the tomatoes, basil, Parmesan, garlic, and nuts into a food processor. Pour the oil in as it blends until creamy. Add salt and pepper to your liking.
02 -
Combine the meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, pesto, onion, garlic, and oregano until just mixed. Roll into balls about 1-1.5 inches wide.
03 -
Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Cook the meatballs in smaller groups, turning them for even browning, about 8-10 minutes. Set them aside after they're done.
04 -
In the same skillet, cook the onions and garlic until soft. Then, put in the pesto, cream, and broth. Stir until everything’s smooth, then mix in the Parmesan.
05 -
Add the browned meatballs into the creamy sauce. Let them warm up for 5-7 minutes. Top it with some fresh basil leaves to serve.
# Notes:
01 -
Making pesto ahead gives time for the flavors to get richer.
02 -
Avoid mixing the meat mixture for too long; this keeps them soft.
03 -
Adjust the sauce consistency by adding cream to thicken or broth to thin it out.