Prepare to embark on a tantalizing journey into the heart of Greek cuisine with Soutzoukakia Messini - a dish that transforms simple ground beef into an extraordinary culinary experience! These succulent, cinnamon-infused meatballs swimming in rich tomato sauce are not just a meal, but a passionate story of flavor, tradition, and Mediterranean cooking that will transport you straight to the sunny streets of Greece with every single bite.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Total Time: 60 mins
Cuisine: Greek
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 500g ground beef
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for frying
- 1 can tomato sauce
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well integrated and the mixture becomes uniform.
- Knead the meat mixture for 5-7 minutes to ensure proper binding and develop a smooth texture. Cover the bowl and let the mixture rest in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Remove the meat mixture from the refrigerator and shape into elongated oval-shaped meatballs (traditional soutzoukakia style), approximately 3-4 inches long and 1 inch wide.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Ensure the oil is hot but not smoking to prevent burning.
- Carefully place the shaped meatballs into the hot skillet, cooking in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry each side for 3-4 minutes until they develop a deep golden-brown crust.
- Once browned, transfer the meatballs to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- In the same skillet, pour the tomato sauce and bring to a gentle simmer. Return the meatballs to the sauce, reducing heat to low.
- Cover and let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for 15-20 minutes, allowing them to absorb the tomato flavors and cook through completely.
- Before serving, garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve hot with rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread.
Tips
- For maximum flavor and texture, use ground beef with a slightly higher fat content (around 15-20%) to keep the meatballs juicy.
- When mixing ingredients, use your hands instead of utensils to ensure even distribution and prevent overworking the meat.
- Chilling the meat mixture before shaping helps the meatballs hold their shape and prevents them from falling apart during cooking.
- Use a medium-high heat when frying to achieve a beautiful golden-brown crust without burning the exterior.
- Don't rush the simmering process - letting the meatballs slow cook in the tomato sauce allows them to absorb maximum flavor and become incredibly tender.
- If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can blend the tomato sauce before adding the meatballs for a more refined texture.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 512kcal
Carbohydrates: 26g
Protein: 30g
Fat: 34g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 122mg
