Italian Meatballs With Rotelli & Meatball Heros
Recipe from Family Circle

This recipe makes enough saucy meatballs for several meals. Toss half of the meatballs over pasta for tonight's dinner and freeze the rest to make meatball sandwiches next week.


Italian Meatballs With Rotelli & Meatball Heros


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Prep Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins
Servings: Makes 6 servings plus enough for Meatball Heros (recipe follows).
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Ingredients
 
savings in
 
  •     Sauce:On Sale
  • 2  tablespoons  olive oilOn Sale
  • 3  large  onions, choppedOn Sale
  • 6  cloves  garlic, choppedOn Sale
  • 2    carrots, peeled and choppedOn Sale
  • 2    sweet red peppers, choppedOn Sale
  • 3  cans  (28 ounces each) crushed tomatoesOn Sale
  • 2  teaspoons  sugarOn Sale
  • 2  teaspoons  saltOn Sale
  • 1/2  teaspoon  red-pepper flakesOn Sale
  •     Meatballs:On Sale
  • 2-1/2  pounds  ground beef chuckOn Sale
  • 1  cup  packaged seasoned bread crumbsOn Sale
  • 1  small  zucchini, finely shreddedOn Sale
  • 3    eggs, lightly beatenOn Sale
  • 1-1/2  teaspoons  saltOn Sale
  • 1  teaspoon  dried Italian seasoningOn Sale
  • 1/2  teaspoon  black pepperOn Sale
  • 1/3  cup  grated Parmesan cheeseOn Sale
  •     Pasta:On Sale
  • 1  pound  rotelli pasta cooked according to package directionsOn Sale

Directions
1.
Sauce: Heat oil in large pot over medium heat. Add onions, garlic, carrots and peppers; cook, stirring, 10 to 12 minutes or until softened. Remove half for making meatballs.
2.
Add tomatoes, sugar, salt and pepper flakes to vegetable mixture remaining in pot. Cover; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes.
3.
Meatballs: Place reserved vegetable mixture, chuck, crumbs, zucchini, eggs, salt, Italian seasoning, pepper and Parmesan in large bowl. With clean, wet hands, mix.
4.
Line baking sheet with waxed paper. Form meat mixture into 36 meatballs (1/4 scant cup for each). Place on prepared baking sheet.
5.
Drop meatballs into simmering sauce; don't stir for 5 minutes. Simmer in sauce for another 30 minutes, gently stirring occasionally.
6.
Spoon half of sauce and half the meatballs over cooked rotelli on large platter. Cool remaining sauce and meatballs for future Meatball Heros (recipe follows). Cover; refrigerate up to 3 days, or freeze up to 2 months. Makes 6 servings plus enough for Meatball Heros (recipe follows).
7.
Meatball Heros: Thaw sauce and meatballs, if necessary, overnight in refrigerator. Gently heat in saucepan over low heat until warmed through. Meanwhile, cut 6 long buns in half and toast. Top 6 halves with 3 meatballs each plus sauce. If desired, sprinkle 8 ounces (total) shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Broil briefly to melt. Top with remaining bun halves.

Nutrition information
Calories 644, Total Fat 22 g, Saturated Fat 8 g, Cholesterol 120 mg, Sodium 1322 mg, Carbohydrate 78 g, Fiber 8 g, Protein 35 g. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
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