Boulettes de Viande (Meatballs)

Indulge in the comforting flavors of classic French cuisine with these Boulettes de Viande, tender and flavorful meatballs that are perfect for any occasion. This recipe combines the rich taste of ground beef and pork with aromatic garlic, savory onions, and fresh parsley for a dish that feels both rustic and refined. The secret to their irresistibly moist texture lies in soaking breadcrumbs in milk, ensuring each bite is melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Gently browned in a mixture of olive oil and butter, the meatballs are then simmered in a rich tomato sauce, infusing them with bold, hearty flavors. Ready in just under an hour, this versatile dish can be served with pasta, rice, or crusty bread for a satisfying weeknight dinner or an elegant dinner party centerpiece. Keywords: Boulettes de Viande, French meatballs, classic meatball recipe, tender meatballs, tomato sauce meatballs, easy French recipes.

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams ground beef
• 250 grams ground pork
• 1 medium, finely chopped onion
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 100 grams breadcrumbs
• 60 milliliters milk
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons, chopped parsley
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 400 grams tomato sauce

Directions

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk. Let them soak for a few minutes until the breadcrumbs are soft.

Step 2

Add the ground beef, ground pork, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper to the breadcrumb mixture.

Step 3

Gently mix everything together with your hands until just combined. Be careful not to overmix as this can make the meatballs tough.

Step 4

Shape the mixture into small balls, about the size of a golf ball, and set aside on a plate. You should have about 16 to 20 meatballs.

Step 5

Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 6

Once the oil is hot, add the meatballs in batches, if necessary, and fry for about 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are browned all over. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan.

Step 7

Remove the browned meatballs with a slotted spoon and set them aside on a plate.

Step 8

In the same pan, add the tomato sauce and bring it to a simmer.

Step 9

Add the meatballs back into the pan, cover, and cook over low heat for another 15-20 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly.

Step 10

Serve the boulettes de viande hot, garnished with some extra chopped parsley if desired. They are perfect with pasta, rice, or fresh crusty bread.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1580.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3100.6

Total Fat 214.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 74.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.0g
Cholesterol 828.1mg	0%
Sodium 5171.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 113.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 9.6g	0%
Total Sugars 25.5g
Protein 177.4g	0%

Vitamin D 114.2IU	0%
Calcium 393.9mg	0%
Iron 19.4mg	0%
Potassium 1712.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 62.4%

Protein: 22.9%

Carbs: 14.7%