Recipe Time : Skillet Meatballs in Marinara

My daughter (Ms. Six) has been asking for Meatballs all week. I have no idea why, because, honestly, she really has ONLY had meatballs in her Spaghetti O's. But, have no fear, I love the fact that she is trying new things and trusting in her palette. It's great!  So, I mustered up this great recipe, using an old card I think I got from my Mom or Grandma with a Meatball recipe, adding the Kel touch, of course!  The Marinara sauce is an adaption of a few recipes I have gathered over time. It is super yum-dil-e-icious and sure to be a hit in your house too!  #welikeameatballs

Skillet Meatballs and Marinara

Prep Time:   10 Minutes

Cook Time:   35 Minutes

Total Time:   45 Minutes

Servings:      6 (4 Meatballs Each)

Ingredients: 

(For Meatballs)

1 lb. Italian Sausage (mild, sweet, or hot depending on preference)

1 cup breadcrumbs

1 large egg

1/2 yellow onion, finely diced

(For Marinara)

1 tbsp Olive Oil

1/2 yellow onion, diced

2 garlic cloves

28 oz. can crushed tomatoes

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp dried basil

1/2 tsp salt

Freshly cracked pepper

1 tsp brown sugar

1 tbsp tomato paste

(Pasta)

12 oz pasta (any shape)

Directions:

To make the meatballs:

1. Squeeze Italian sausage out of casing and into a large bowl.
2. Add the breadcrumbs, egg, and diced onion. Using hands, mix ingredients together until combined. 
3. Form the mixture into about 24 golf ball sized meatballs.
4. Heat large skillet over medium heat. 
5. Add olive oil to skillet to coat.  
6. Add meatballs and cook until browned on the outside. (a few mintues each side). Work in two batches if needed to give meatballs room to move. 
7. Once meatballs are browned, remove from heat to clean plate.

For Marinara:

1. Add second half of diced onions to skillet, with two garlic cloves (minced). Saute in the leftover oil from meatballs until soft and transparent. 
2. Once soft, add crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, brown sugar, and tomato paste. 
3. Stir until tomato paste mixes into the crushed tomatoes.

Then: 

1. Add meatballs back to the skillet and gently stir to coat in sauce. 
2. Place lid on skillet and let simmer for 15 minutes. 

And for the Pasta: 

1. Cook pasta while meatballs simmer.
2. Drain pasta and serve with pasta and four meatballs for each person!

@KelleyAmstutz

/kel.amstutz

KAMSTUTZ09