A Cozy Evening In: Homemade Meatballs with Garden Tomato Sauce and Parmesan Polenta

There’s nothing quite as satisfying as a homemade Italian-inspired dinner that warms both the heart and the stomach. Today, we’re diving into a comforting recipe for Homemade Meatballs with Fresh Tomato Sauce served over Creamy Parmesan Polenta.

With the high-quality meat from Bristol Farms, ripe tomatoes from your garden, and a touch of love in every bite, this is the perfect dish for a cozy night at home.

And because no good meal should go without a fantastic glass of wine, I’ve also included a few Santa Barbara-based wines to pair with your meal.

Homemade Meatballs

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef (from Bristol Farms)
• 1 pound ground pork
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• Olive oil, for frying

Instructions:

1. Mix the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, garlic, onion, egg, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to gently mix the ingredients until just combined—don’t overwork the meat mixture.
2. Shape: Roll the mixture into golf-ball-sized meatballs and set them aside on a plate.
3. Cook: Heat a few tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs, cooking in batches to avoid overcrowding, and brown them on all sides—about 5-7 minutes per batch. Transfer the browned meatballs to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. They will finish cooking in the sauce.

Garden-Fresh Tomato Sauce

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 6-7 medium-sized tomatoes (from your garden), roughly chopped
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried basil or 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ¼ cup fresh chopped parsley

Instructions:

1. Sauté Aromatics: In a large saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
2. Add the Tomatoes: Add the chopped garden tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar (if needed), salt, pepper, basil, and oregano. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer.
3. Simmer: Let the sauce simmer for about 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes break down and the sauce thickens.
4. Blend (Optional): If you prefer a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender to blend until you reach your desired consistency.
5. Add Meatballs: Return the meatballs to the sauce, cover, and let simmer on low heat for an additional 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the meatballs to cook through.
6. Finish: Stir in the chopped parsley before serving.

Creamy Parmesan Polenta

Ingredients:

• 4 cups water or chicken broth
• 1 cup polenta (coarse cornmeal)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons butter
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Bring to Boil: In a medium saucepan, bring water or broth to a boil. Add the salt.
2. Add Polenta: Slowly whisk in the polenta, reducing the heat to low. Stir continuously for the first few minutes to prevent clumping.
3. Cook: Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the polenta thickens, about 20-25 minutes.
4. Finish: Stir in the butter and grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Season with freshly ground black pepper.

Bringing It All Together

Spoon a generous helping of creamy Parmesan polenta onto each plate, top it with a few meatballs, and ladle the fresh tomato sauce over everything. Garnish with some extra grated Parmesan and fresh parsley for a beautiful finish.

Wine Pairing: Santa Barbara’s Finest

Santa Barbara is renowned for its incredible wines, and there are a few local options that will pair beautifully with this comforting Italian meal:

1. Melville 2020 Syrah – The peppery, dark berry notes in this Syrah pair wonderfully with the flavors of oregano and garlic in the dish, adding a deep, smoky complexity.
2. Deep Sea 2020 Red Blend – This lovely red from Deep Sea Tasting Room offers lush notes of red berries with a hint of spice, which complements the savory, rich meatballs and the creamy polenta, adding a smooth, balanced finish.

The Perfect Cozy Night

Cooking can be such a rewarding way to slow down and savor the moment, especially when it involves seasonal, fresh ingredients like your garden tomatoes. These homemade meatballs, fresh tomato sauce, and Parmesan polenta create a meal that feels like a warm embrace, and pairing it with a beautiful local wine makes it truly special. Enjoy a cozy evening in, and let Santa Barbara’s best make it an experience worth remembering.