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Classic Meatballs with Smoked Tomato Marinara
Print Recipe

Classic Meatballs with Smoked Tomato Marinara

Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Italian, marinara, Smoked
Servings: 10
Author: Patrick L.
Cost: 32

Equipment

  • smoker
  • baking sheet
  • large pot
  • large bowl
  • food processor

Ingredients

Classic Meatballs

  • 1 lb ground chuck
  • 1 lb ground veal
  • 1 lb ground pork
  • 3/4 cup celery finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup onion finely chopped
  • 1 cup bread chopped very fine
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh oregano
  • 2 cloves garlic finely diced
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
  • 1½ tsp salt
  • 1½ tsp fresh ground pepper

Smoked Tomato Marinara

  • 2 lbs vine ripe tomatoes
  • 6 cloves garlic choped
  • 38 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup high quality balsamic vinegar
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • ¼ cup honey
  • ¼ cup fresh chopped parsley
  • 2 tbsp fresh chopped basil
  • 1 tbsp fresh chopped oregano
  • 1 tsp fresh chopped thyme
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • olive oil, salt, pepper extra for tomatoes

Instructions

Classic Meatballs

  • Preheat oven to 375°
  • In a large bowl using clean hands combine all ingredients. Don not over mix. Just work the mixture until the ingredients at distributed evenly.
  • line a large pan with foil.
  • Next form the mixture into balls slightly larger than a golf ball. Place them on the sheet pan evenly and not touching.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°.

Smoked Tomato Marinara

  • Set up your smoker and get it to 250°
  • Remove the stems and split the tomatoes in half.
  • Coat the tomatoes with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
  • place a piece of foil on your smoker rack that is be enough for the tomatoes, but small enough so that the smoke can surround it.
  • Let the tomatoes smoke for around an hour and a half. The skin should be easy to remove.
  • Crush the smoked tomatoes using your hands or a food processor.
  • In a large pot over medium heat add the olive oil. Once on add the garlic and bay leaves. Once fragrant add the remainder of the ingredients.
  • Reduce heat to low and add the meatballs. Let simmer for an hour and then serve over your favorite pasta.