Great Meatballs of Fire
Turn up the heat at dinnertime with "Great Meatballs of Fire," a bold and spicy twist on a classic comfort food. These tender, juicy meatballs combine ground beef and pork with a fiery blend of red chili flakes, smoked paprika, and a splash of hot sauce for a kick that’s sure to thrill spice lovers. Simmered in a rich tomato sauce infused with garlic, fresh basil, and a hint of sweetness, these meatballs pack powerful flavor in every bite. Perfectly versatile, they pair beautifully with pasta, rice, or crusty bread, making them an irresistible centerpiece for your dinner table. Ready in just an hour and crafted with simple pantry staples, "Great Meatballs of Fire" is the ultimate recipe for those craving hearty, homemade heat.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground beef
- 0.5 pound Ground pork
- 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs
- 1 large Egg
- 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons Milk
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 0.5 medium Onion, finely diced
- 2 teaspoons Red chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon Hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 28-ounce can Crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Sugar
- 2 tablespoons Fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan cheese, milk, minced garlic, diced onion, red chili flakes, smoked paprika, ground cumin, hot sauce, salt, and black pepper.
Using clean hands, gently mix the ingredients together until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender.
Form the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs and place them on a tray or plate. The mixture should yield about 16 meatballs.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the meatballs in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan.
Brown the meatballs on all sides, about 6-8 minutes total. They do not need to be fully cooked at this stage. Remove the browned meatballs and set aside.
In the same pan, add the crushed tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Stir in the sugar and fresh basil. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
Return the meatballs to the pan, gently nestling them into the sauce. Cover the pan with a lid and simmer on low heat for 25-30 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through and the flavors meld together.
Serve the Great Meatballs of Fire hot, garnished with extra fresh basil if desired. Enjoy with rice, pasta, or crusty bread to balance the heat!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2572 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 175.6 g | 225% | |
| Saturated Fat | 61.0 g | 305% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 767 mg | 256% | |
| Sodium | 4545 mg | 198% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 96.2 g | 35% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 15.2 g | 54% | |
| Total Sugars | 35.5 g | ||
| Protein | 158.6 g | 317% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.7 mcg | 8% | |
| Calcium | 654 mg | 50% | |
| Iron | 20.7 mg | 115% | |
| Potassium | 3112 mg | 66% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
