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Sausage Fennel Meatballs with Creamy Tomato Butter Beans

Sausage Fennel Meatballs with Creamy Tomato Butter Beans
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Sausage Fennel Meatballs with Creamy Tomato Butter Beans is a hearty and comforting one-pot meal combining fennel-spiced sausage meatballs with a luscious tomato butter bean sauce. This dish offers bold, unique flavors with the perfect balance of savory meatballs and creamy beans, making it ideal for cozy dinners, entertaining guests, or meal prep with simple ingredients and an impressive result.

Ingredients

Meatballs

  • Italian sausage (sweet or spicy with fennel seeds) – 1 lb
  • Ground pork or beef (optional) – ½ lb
  • Fennel seeds or fresh fennel – 1 tsp crushed fennel seeds or ¼ cup finely chopped fresh fennel
  • Bread crumbs – ⅓ cup
  • Egg – 1 large
  • Garlic (minced) – 2 cloves
  • Onion (finely chopped) – ½ medium onion
  • Salt – ½ tsp
  • Black pepper – ¼ tsp
  • Olive oil – 2 tbsp (for browning)

Sauce

  • Olive oil – 1 tbsp
  • Garlic (minced) – 2 cloves
  • Onion (diced) – 1 small onion
  • Crushed tomatoes – 1 can (14 oz)
  • Cannellini or butter beans (rinsed) – 1 can (15 oz)
  • Butter – 2 tbsp
  • Salt – to taste
  • Black pepper – to taste
  • Fresh herbs (parsley and basil, chopped) – 2 tbsp each
  • Parmesan cheese (grated, for garnish) – ¼ cup

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatballs: In a mixing bowl, combine Italian sausage, ground pork (if using), crushed fennel seeds, bread crumbs, egg, minced garlic, finely chopped onion, salt, and pepper. Mix gently just until combined to keep the meatballs tender. Shape the mixture into evenly sized meatballs and set aside.
  2. Brown the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs carefully and brown them on all sides. They don’t need to be cooked through as they’ll finish cooking in the sauce. Remove the browned meatballs and set them aside.
  3. Make the Creamy Tomato Butter Bean Sauce: In the same skillet, add olive oil and sauté minced garlic and diced onions until translucent and fragrant. Pour in crushed tomatoes and add rinsed butter beans. Stir in butter and season with salt, pepper, and fresh herbs. Let the sauce simmer gently so the flavors meld and the butter melts into the sauce creating a creamy texture.
  4. Simmer the Meatballs in Sauce: Return the meatballs to the skillet with the sauce, spoon sauce over them, cover, and simmer on low heat for about 15 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through and tender.
  5. Finish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese over the dish. Give everything a gentle stir and serve hot with crusty bread, creamy polenta, or pasta.

Notes

  • Keep meatballs uniform in size for even cooking and an attractive presentation.
  • Mix meatball ingredients just until combined to avoid tough meatballs.
  • Brown the meatballs before simmering to lock in flavor and add depth.
  • Add fresh herbs at the end or as garnish to maintain their bright taste.
  • If the sauce thickens too much while simmering, add a splash of chicken stock or water to loosen it.

Nutrition

Keywords: sausage fennel meatballs, tomato butter beans, creamy tomato sauce, Italian meatballs, one-pot meal, fennel spiced sausage, butter beans recipe

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