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.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

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

Directions

Step 1

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.

Step 2

Using clean hands, gently mix the ingredients together until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender.

Step 3

Form the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs and place them on a tray or plate. The mixture should yield about 16 meatballs.

Step 4

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.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

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.

Step 7

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.

Step 8

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

Serving size	1761.5 grams (1761.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2572

Total Fat 175.60g	225%
Saturated Fat 61.00g	305%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.60g
Cholesterol 767mg	256%
Sodium 4545mg	198%
Total Carbohydrate 96.20g	35%
Dietary Fiber 15.20g	54%
Total Sugars 35.50g
Protein 158.60g	317%

Vitamin D 67IU	334%
Calcium 654mg	50%
Iron 21mg	115%
Potassium 3112mg	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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 60.8%

Protein: 24.4%

Carbs: 14.8%