Description
These Meatballs in Tomato Maple Sauce are a delicious twist on a classic, featuring tender beef meatballs simmered in a rich tomato sauce enhanced with balsamic vinegar and maple syrup for a sweet, tangy flavor explosion.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- For the meatballs:
- 500g (17.6oz) of extra lean beef mince (ground beef)
- 30g (1oz) of fresh breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons of 2% milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
- For the sauce:
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1/2 red pepper, finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
- Low-calorie spray
- 1/2 tablespoon of paprika
- 1 cup (240g) of passata
- 1 tablespoon of tomato paste (puree)
- 1 cup (240ml) of chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons of maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Add the breadcrumbs and milk to a bowl. Let them soak until the milk is fully absorbed.
- Add the ground beef, egg, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder to the bowl. Mix until well combined.
- Shape the mixture into 16 equal-sized meatballs and set them aside.
- Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat and coat it with low-calorie spray.
- Sauté the chopped onion, red pepper, and garlic until softened.
- Stir in the passata, tomato paste, paprika, chicken stock, maple syrup, and balsamic vinegar. Bring the sauce to a boil.
- Place the meatballs directly into the sauce, spooning sauce over them to coat.
- Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover with a lid, and cook for 20–25 minutes until the sauce thickens and meatballs are fully cooked. Add extra stock if the sauce becomes too thick.
- Remove the lid during the last 5 minutes to let the sauce reduce fully.
- Serve with your favorite sides and enjoy!
Notes
- Use fresh breadcrumbs for the best texture in the meatballs.
- Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less maple syrup to taste.
- Serve with mashed potatoes, pasta, or rice for a hearty meal.
- Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 120mg