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Red Wine Braised Meatballs

Red Wine Braised Meatballs: Cozy Comfort in Every Bite

Enjoy the rich flavors of Red Wine Braised Meatballs, a comforting and customizable dish perfect for family dinners.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 meatballs
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs
  • 1 lb Ground Chicken Can be swapped for ground beef, pork, or plant-based meat.
  • 1 small Onion Finely chopped; shallots can be substituted.
  • 2 cloves Garlic Minced; garlic powder can be used.
  • 1/4 cup Breadcrumbs Use gluten-free breadcrumbs for a gluten-free option.
  • 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese Plus an additional 1/2 cup for polenta.
  • 1 Egg Can be replaced with flaxseed meal for vegan option.
  • Salt & Pepper To taste.
For the Sauce
  • 3 tbsp Olive Oil Can substitute with any cooking oil.
  • 1 Carrot Diced; bell pepper can be used as an alternative.
  • 1 stalk Celery Diced; leeks can be a substitute.
  • 1 tbsp Tomato Paste Ketchup can be a last-minute substitute.
  • 750 ml Red Wine Choose a robust variety like cabernet sauvignon.
  • 1 cup Chicken Broth Vegetable broth for vegetarian option.
For the Cheesy Polenta
  • 1 cup Polenta Instant polenta can speed up cooking.
  • 4 cups Water or Chicken Broth Using broth elevates flavor.
  • 2 tbsp Butter Olive oil can be used for dairy-free option.

Equipment

  • Skillet
  • Mixing bowl
  • Saucepan

Method
 

Meatballs Preparation
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, grated parmesan, egg, salt, pepper, finely chopped onion, and minced garlic. Mix until fully incorporated; the mixture should feel slightly sticky. Form the mixture into uniform meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter, and set them aside on a plate while you prepare to brown them.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, carefully add the meatballs, ensuring they do not touch each other to achieve even browning. Cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side until they are golden brown all over. Once browned, transfer the meatballs to a plate and cover to keep warm.
Sauce Preparation
  1. In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of olive oil if needed, then toss in the diced onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes until they soften, stirring frequently. Add one tablespoon of tomato paste and cook for an additional minute.
  2. Pour in the red wine and chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the skillet's bottom. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing it to reduce for 15-20 minutes.
  3. Once the sauce has reduced, gently return the browned meatballs to the skillet. Cover the pan and let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for an additional 20-30 minutes over low heat, stirring occasionally.
Polenta Cooking
  1. Prepare the cheesy polenta by bringing 4 cups of water or chicken broth to a boil in a separate saucepan. Gradually whisk in 1 cup of polenta and reduce the heat to low. Stir frequently and cook for 10-15 minutes until thickened and creamy. Once done, mix in the remaining parmesan cheese, butter, and adjust salt to taste.
Serving
  1. To serve the Red Wine Braised Meatballs, spoon a generous portion of creamy cheesy polenta onto each plate. Top with the succulent meatballs and drizzle the rich sauce over them. Optionally, garnish with freshly chopped parsley.

Nutrition

Serving: 1meatballCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 20gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 450mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 800IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 130mgIron: 2mg

Notes

You can prepare the meatballs and sauce a day ahead to enhance flavors. Monitor polenta while cooking to keep it creamy.

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