Marry Me Meatballs: A Cozy Love Story in Every Bite
There’s something undeniably enchanting about comfort food, especially when it brings along a tender story or two. Picture this: it’s a chilly weeknight, and the golden glow of your kitchen beckons you to cook something heartwarming. You decide to make Marry Me Meatballs, a dish so creamy and rich that it has a reputation for sparking romance. I first stumbled upon these delightful meatballs while flipping through an old family cookbook, each page holding cherished memories of love shared over good food. Trust me, this is the kind of easy weeknight dinner that not only fills your belly but warms your heart.
This is one you’ll definitely want to pin for later!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easily Whip Up a Romantic Dinner: Perfect for impressing a special someone or turning an ordinary weeknight into a cozy date night.
- Quick & Simple: With just a few steps, you’ll have meatballs simmering in a creamy sauce in no time—ideal for busy evenings!
- Crowd-Pleasing Flavor: The delectable combination of ground beef, sun-dried tomatoes, and creamy sauce makes these meatballs a family favorite.
- Versatile Ingredients: Feel free to customize the flavors to suit your taste or dietary needs easily!
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Make a double batch and freeze them for an effortless dinner option later on—what’s not to love?
What You’ll Need
To create these dreamy Marry Me Meatballs, gather the following ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¾ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- ¾ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese (for sauce)
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
How to Make Marry Me Meatballs
Let’s whip these up together, shall we?
- In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, parmesan, garlic, salt, and pepper until just combined. Don’t overmix; we want to keep those meatballs tender!
- Form the mixture into evenly sized meatballs—aim for about 1.5 inches for perfectly bite-sized goodies.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the meatballs and brown them on all sides. Once browned, transfer them to a plate to keep warm.
- In the same skillet, toss in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for about 1 minute, allowing their flavors to brighten the pan.
- Deglaze your skillet with the chicken broth, ensuring to scrape up any delicious browned bits from the bottom.
- Stir in the heavy cream, parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes, letting it lightly simmer until the sauce thickens beautifully.
- Return the meatballs to the skillet, gently coating them in the sauce. Simmer for about 10-15 minutes until the meatballs are thoroughly cooked, and the sauce has thickened to creamy perfection.
- Garnish with fresh basil and extra parmesan cheese before serving.
Delicious Variations to Try
Here are a few creative twists to elevate your Marry Me Meatballs:
- Zesty Lemon Meatballs: Add the zest of one lemon to the meatball mixture for a bright, refreshing flavor.
- Italian Sausage Blend: Mix half ground beef with half Italian sausage for an indulgently spiced version of these meatballs.
- Stuffed Meatballs: Place a small piece of mozzarella cheese in the center of each meatball for a gooey surprise in every bite.
- Vegetarian Option: Substitute the ground beef with a mixture of lentils and finely chopped mushrooms for a hearty plant-based alternative.
Chef Emma’s Helpful Tips
- Make-Ahead Magic: These meatballs can be made a day in advance. Just store them in the fridge and reheat gently before serving.
- Freezing Bliss: Freeze uncooked meatballs on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a zip-top bag. Simply cook from frozen when you’re ready!
- Change Up the Sauce: For a different flavor profile, use a marinara or pesto sauce instead of the creamy mixture—your taste buds will thank you.
- Storage Suggestions: Leftover meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
Nutrition Information per Serving
- Serving Size: 3 meatballs with sauce
- Calories: 450
- Total Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Sugar: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 30g
- Sodium: 700mg
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make this ahead? Yes! You can prepare the meatballs ahead of time and simply cook them in the sauce when ready to serve.
- Can I use different ingredients? Absolutely! Feel free to substitute ground turkey or chicken, and experiment with different cheeses or herbs.
- How do I store leftovers? Store any leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
- How long does it last? When properly stored, these meatballs can be frozen for up to three months.
A Cozy Closing Note
Marry Me Meatballs embody everything cozy about home cooking. They promise warmth and a bit of love in every tender bite, making them the perfect dish for gathering around the table. The creamy sauce paired with the savory meatballs is bound to leave everyone craving more.
So, save this Marry Me Meatballs to your recipe board so it’s all set for when you need a cozy treat! I can’t wait for you to experience the magic of this dish!
Print
Marry Me Meatballs
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Meat-based
Description
Cozy meatballs simmered in a rich, creamy sauce that spark romance and delight in every bite.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¾ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- ¾ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese (for sauce)
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, parmesan, garlic, salt, and pepper until just combined.
- Form the mixture into evenly sized meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and brown them on all sides.
- Transfer the browned meatballs to a plate to keep warm.
- In the same skillet, add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for about 1 minute.
- Deglaze the skillet with the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
- Stir in the heavy cream, parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes; let it simmer until the sauce thickens.
- Return the meatballs to the skillet and gently coat them in the sauce. Simmer for about 10-15 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through.
- Garnish with fresh basil and extra parmesan cheese before serving.
Notes
For make-ahead magic, these meatballs can be prepared a day in advance and stored in the fridge. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to three days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 meatballs with sauce
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: meatballs, creamy sauce, romantic dinner, comfort food