Pesto Meatballs and Marinara Sauce

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pesto meatballs and marinara sauce

Pesto Meatballs and Marinara Sauce can be a meal for me and my family. And, these are just that. All you need to do is to add something crunchy!

Meatballs and cream

My family and I will eat creamy vodka marinara sauce as a dinner. And that’s exactly what these pesto meatballs and marinara sauce are. All you have to do now is toss in a salad or something crunchy! Here’s what I’d suggest! Coleslaw with bleu cheese. Oh my goodness! You’re going to love the taste comparison. The cheeses, in particular. The tartness of bleu cheese mixed with the smooth richness of ricotta!

Mariana sauce with meatballs

It’s extremely easy to make these pesto meatballs and marinara sauce with one skillet basil pesto pasta. Purchase your pesto already made. The Costco brand is one of my favorites. It has an extraordinary level of freshness and flavor depth. It’s an international commodity. It also contains 100 percent Genovese Italian basil. You will not be let down!

And, you don’t want to miss making homemade basil pesto sauce. I’m telling you, it’s SO EASY! Here’s my recipe. No cooking. No chopping or dicing. Just your food processor!

Meatballs in An airtight container

These Herb Fruit & Lime Chicken Salad are now made with just a few ingredients, making them very simple to cook when you get home from work. Of course, you can prepare them ahead of time, store them in the refrigerator, and then cook them when you get home. When stored in airtight glass containers, they often freeze well.

How to make meat balls

Last but not least, these meatballs. You must purchase a high-quality marinara sauce. Don’t scrimp here. It will bring all of the flavors together and make the whole meal feel like you’re dining in a small Italian village.

Costco Pasta Sauce

Costco has both Kirkland brand organic marinara and Victoria White Linen Marinara, which is made particularly for Costco, which I used in this recipe. It was excellent, to say the least! This sauce gets even better when you add these Italian Meatballs and let their flavors permeate the sauce as it simmers.

Dinner recipes for meatballs

These mezze rigatoni basil pesto & peppers, last but not least. You’ll need to invest in a high-quality marinara sauce. Don’t scrimp on this one. It will meld all of the flavors and make the whole meal feel like you’re dining in a small Italian village. Kirkland brand organic marinara and Victoria White Linen Marinara, made specifically for Costco, are both available at Costco and were used in this recipe. To say the least, it was awesome! When you add these meatballs to the sauce and let their flavors permeate the sauce as it simmers, it becomes even better

pesto meatballs and marinara sauce

pesto meatballs and marinara sauce

Pesto Meatballs and Marinara Sauce

Yield: About 16-20 meatballs

Pesto Meatballs and Marinara Sauce can be a meal for me and my family. And, these are just that. All you need to do is to add something crunchy!

Ingredients

  • Preheat oven to 350
  • 1 ½ pounds ground lamb
  • 1 tsp. sea salt
  • 1 tsp. coarse ground pepper
  • ¼ tsp. red chili flakes
  • 1 Tbl. Italian seasoning mixture
  • 1 tsp. paprika
  • ¾ cup bread crumbs
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 cup basil pesto, try my homemade recipe or last resort, store bought, divided
  • 2 Tbl. extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 jar (25 oz.) marinara sauce
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese, somewhat room temperature
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped, garnish

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl crumbled the meat. Sprinkle over the meat the salt, pepper, red chili flakes,Italian seasoning, paprika and bread crumbs. Add the egg and two thirds cup of basil pesto. Using your hands, work everything into the meat. Do this for several minutes to make sure all is incorporated and distributed.

Put a sheet of parchment paper in a large cookie sheet. Roll the meatballs into about ‘golf’ ball sizes.

Heat a large cast iron skillet (10”) on medium high heat. Let it get hot. Add the olive oil and let it get hot for about a minute. Add about 6 meatballs at a time and brown turning on all sides.

Use tongs to remove to the cookie sheet. Repeat with all meatballs Bake in a preheated 350 oven about 15-18 minutes.

Meanwhile, reduce heat to low on the skillet and add the marinara sauce. Stir and scrape up any of the good sticky crumbles in the skillet. Add the remaining pesto to the marinara and blend.

Place the cooked meatballs in the skillet and roll and cover them in the sauce. Cover with a lid. Let the meatballs simmer about 20 minutes.

Serve meatballs/sauce in a shallow bowl with a couple of small ice cream scoops of ricotta and sprinkle of fresh basil.

Your sharing is GOLDEN! Thank you!

Your sharing and comments help me stay in business! Share a photo if you make the recipe #allyskitchen Thank you! xo Ally

pesto meatballs and marinara sauce

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6 Comments

  1. Goodness gracious, Miss Ally, every time I think I’ve printed “the last recipe I’ll ever need” you come up with something totally simple and sumptuous. How wonderful is THIS recipe? You have a knack for combining flavors and a flair for understanding how “busy” we all are, but still want to EAT WELL! Love you, kiddo! xo

    P.S. Glad you won that Lamb Board contest awhile back. 😉 I’ve only experienced the flavor a couple o’ times, but I’m thinking I need to expand my repertoire… TMOFW’s too!

    1. Kimmmeee!! I’ve missed you!! And, I got my surcie in the mail, just today! Thank you!! Yes, you’ll love these meatballs. Made them again last night when went to visit son/DIL and three baby boys…the 14 month old couldn’t get enough of the meatballs! You’ll love the lamb. The meatballs have a much ‘creamier’ texture than w/beef. Love you girl! xox

      1. Anonymous says:

        Just made this recipe tonight. I’ve never take. The time to make meatballs as it was always easier to buy them. Unfortunately I didn’t have lamb but used a combo of ground turkey and ground beef as that’s what I had on hand. They were still delicious.

        1. Oh, gosh! You’re officially in the Meatball Hall of Fame! I’m so so happy and excited for you! I hope that you tasted the difference! And, the combo of ground turkey and beef is fabulous. Thank you for letting me know, and I look forward to seeing more of you! xoxx ~ally

  2. Beverley Press says:

    another delicious recipe and your kitchen must of smelled amazing with this dish cooking in it. Thank you for all your recipes and for just being you xoxo

    1. Awwhhhh, sweet Beverley!! Thank YOU for always being here to support me and hang out w/me in the kitchen! This recipe, well, it’s easy and full of flavor…me thinks your and your men will love! xoxoxo

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