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Weeknight • Pork

Speedy Saucy Pork Meatballs

Tender homemade pork meatballs simmered in a quick, flavorful sauce, perfect over rice or noodles.

Prep
15 min
Cook
20 min
Servings
4
Level
Weeknight
Speedy Saucy Pork Meatballs

When you're craving something comforting and savory, but time is short, these Speedy Saucy Pork Meatballs are here to save the day! Made with simple ingredients, these tender meatballs are cooked right in a delicious, easy-to-make sauce. It’s a versatile dish that pairs wonderfully with a side of rice, pasta, or even just some crusty bread. Get ready for a delicious, satisfying meal that tastes like it took all day!

Ingredients

Yield: 4 servings

For the Meatballs

  • 1 lb ground pork
  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

For the Sauce

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup chicken or beef broth
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a medium bowl, combine ground pork, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, minced garlic, chopped parsley (if using), salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined. Form into 1-inch meatballs (you should get about 18-20).

  2. Step 2

    Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and brown them on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. You don't need to cook them through, just get a nice crust. Remove meatballs from the skillet and set aside.

  3. Step 3

    Add chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. If needed, add a tiny splash more oil.

  4. Step 4

    Stir in the tomato sauce, chicken/beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

  5. Step 5

    Return the browned meatballs to the sauce. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until meatballs are cooked through and tender, and the sauce has thickened slightly.

  6. Step 6

    Season the sauce with additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot over pasta, rice, or with mashed potatoes. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Tips

  • Don't overmix the meatball mixture; this can make them tough.
  • Browning the meatballs first adds a great layer of flavor to the dish.
  • For extra richness, a splash of heavy cream can be stirred into the sauce at the end.

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