# Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Recipe by [Elena Rossetti](https://fridge.menu/en/u/elenarossetti)

Tender beef meatballs simmered in a rich tomato sauce with sage and rosemary.

Servings: 4 · Prep 20 min · Cook 16 min · Meat

Contains: gluten, milk, eggs

_Labels are worked out automatically from the ingredients and can be wrong. Check the packaging if it matters to you._

![AI photo: Meatballs in Tomato Sauce](https://image.fridge.menu/adaptations/g9qgkvig/aa738b61b52742ee2ace325d309ee7eae779bd98733e285b20a15b33f08f555d.jpg)

## Ingredients

- 400 g [Beef mince](https://fridge.menu/en/i/ground-beef)
- 55 g [Bread](https://fridge.menu/en/i/bread) — or stale bread crumb
- 40-50 ml [Milk](https://fridge.menu/en/i/milk)
- 2 pcs [Eggs](https://fridge.menu/en/i/eggs)
- 30 g [Parmesan](https://fridge.menu/en/i/parmesan)
- [Salt](https://fridge.menu/en/i/salt) — to taste
- [Black pepper](https://fridge.menu/en/i/black-pepper) — to taste
- 5-6 pcs [Sage](https://fridge.menu/en/i/sage) — leaves
- 1 pcs [Rosemary](https://fridge.menu/en/i/rosemary) — sprig
- [Plain flour](https://fridge.menu/en/i/flour) — to taste, for dusting
- 200 g Tomato passata
- 1/2 pcs [Onion](https://fridge.menu/en/i/onion)
- 2 clove [Garlic](https://fridge.menu/en/i/garlic)
- [Olive oil](https://fridge.menu/en/i/olive-oil) — to taste

## Steps

1. Chop the sliced bread and soak it in milk. Squeeze out the bread and add it to the beef mince.
2. Beat in two eggs, add the Parmesan, salt and black pepper to taste.
3. Finely chop the sage leaves and rosemary, and add to the mince.
4. Mix everything with a wooden spoon or by hand until smooth.
5. Shape into meatballs and coat each one in flour.
6. Heat the olive oil in a frying pan, add the garlic and onion.
7. Pour in the tomato passata, add salt and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes until it begins to bubble, then remove the garlic.
8. Place the meatballs in the sauce and cook on a low heat, covered. (8 min)
9. Turn the meatballs and cook for a further 7-8 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 71°C. (8 min)
10. Serve immediately.

## What was changed

Tomato passata is used instead of tomato paste, since the recipe pours and simmers it as a thin sauce.

Published 2026-10-09

https://fridge.menu/en/r/kotletky-v-tomatnomu-sousi-g9qgkvig

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