Meatballs in tomato sauce are the ultimate comfort food for a weeknight or a leisurely weekend meal. With this recipe, you can make eight juicy meatballs using SNX BOB ground beef in a rich, homemade tomato sauce in just 45 minutes—enough for 4 people. Everything goes into a single pan: first sear, then simmer gently in the sauce.
| Prep time | Servings | Difficulty | Snack Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45 minutes | Serves 4 (8 meatballs) | Easy | Dinner / Weekend Cooking |
Ingredients
For the meatballs
- 500 g SNX BOB Ground Meat (thawed)
- 1 egg
- 40 g breadcrumbs
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 clove of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Pepper and a pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil for cooking
For the tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 cans of diced tomatoes (2 × 400 g)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon of sugar (optional, to cut the acidity)
- Salt and pepper
- A handful of fresh basil
Preparation
- Mix the ground meat. Put the SNX ground meat in a bowl with the egg, breadcrumbs, finely chopped onion, garlic, oregano, pepper, and a pinch of salt. Knead briefly with your hands until everything is just combined. Kneading for too long will make the meatballs too dense.
- Shoot 8 balls. Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions (about 70 g each) and, with slightly damp hands, roll them into firm balls.
- Fry them. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or casserole dish over medium heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides for 6 to 8 minutes. They don’t need to be fully cooked yet. Remove them from the pan and set them aside for a moment.
- Make the sauce. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the same pan and sauté the onion gently for 3 minutes. Add the garlic and tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Pour in the diced tomatoes, stir in the oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper, and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
- Let the meatballs cook in the sauce. Return the meatballs to the sauce, place the lid at an angle on the pan, and let them simmer gently for 20 minutes. Turn them over halfway through. The meatballs are done when they’re cooked all the way through: evenly browned on the inside, with no pink center (internal temperature at least 75 °C).
- Serve. Tear the basil over the dish and place the pan on the table. Delicious with a piece of bread to mop up the sauce, with pasta, or with mashed potatoes and vegetables.
Nutritional Value Per Serving
Calculated per serving of 2 meatballs with sauce (without bread or pasta). The SNX portion consists of 125 g of SNX BOB ground meat per serving, calculated based on SNX’s official nutrition facts label. The remaining ingredients (egg, breadcrumbs, oil, and tomato sauce) are provided for reference and are listed as such.
| Per serving | SNX ground meat (125 g) | Other ingredients (approximate) | Total (estimated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein (g) | 20,1 | 5 | 25 |
| Fiber (g) | 6,1 | 3,5 | 9,6 |
| Energy (kcal) | 196 | 145 | 341 |
| Fat (g) | 11,7 | 7 | 18,7 |
The upside lies in the ground meat itself. SNX BOB ground meat is high in protein (16.1 g of protein per 100 g) and a source of fiber (4.91 g per 100 g), and you can really tell in this dish: a single serving provides over 20 g of protein and over 6 g of fiber from the ground beef alone, while regular ground beef contains virtually no fiber. With the tomato sauce included, you get about 25 g of protein and nearly 10 g of fiber per serving: a nutritious, filling dinner with a Nutri-Score A rating for the ground beef.
Why This Works with SNX
Meatballs require ground meat that stays juicy and holds together well, and that’s where SNX BOB ground meat excels: Dutch beef supplemented with legumes and vegetables for a better nutritional profile. The flavor and texture are those of a classic meatball, made with up to 50% beef from 100% Dutch beef, but with more protein and fiber and less fat, salt, and calories than traditional ground beef. Simply add the ground beef to the pan; it browns nicely and stays tender in the sauce. A bonus for those watching their diet: SNX BOB ground beef is gluten-free (under 20 ppm), so just replace the breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs and you’ll have a gluten-free meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I store meatballs in tomato sauce?
Let the meatballs cool in the sauce, then store them, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. You can also freeze them: place the meatballs and sauce together in a freezer-safe container; they’ll keep for up to 3 months and won’t dry out.
What's the best way to heat them up?
In a covered pan over low heat, cook for 10 to 15 minutes until they are thoroughly heated through, adding a splash of water if the sauce becomes too thick. You can also use the microwave: cover and cook at 600 watts, stirring occasionally.
Can I modify the recipe?
Sure. Stir in half a finely chopped red bell pepper or 100 g of mushrooms into the sauce for extra vegetables, or turn it into a meatball sub: place 2 meatballs with sauce on a long roll, sprinkle with shredded cheese, and broil briefly in the oven. If you want it spicier, add half a teaspoon of chili flakes to the sauce.
Want to try it yourself? As a consumer, you can order SNX BOB ground meat and other smart snacks from SNX in the online store. Do you work in hospitality, healthcare, catering, or retail? If so, request a free sample pack on.
