With a touch of European flare these meatballs will become your family's favorite go-to dish, guaranteed.
Western and Eastern influences balance Bosnian cuisine just right. Typical dishes are most often made with minced meat. The use of ground beef is countless.
You'll find it in most traditional Bosnian dishes, commonly as a filling. Just like the Italians, we like our meatballs with spaghetti, but other pasta, mashed potatoes, and rice are among alternatives.
We stuff everything! You name it we stuff it. Of course, that includes stuffed peppers, zucchini, grape, and Swiss Chard leaves.
But also pickled cabbage leaves, tomatoes, onions, pasta, phyllo dough…we even stuff our meatloaf!
Today I’m sharing a Bosnian meatballs recipe. I didn't stuff them with anything, but who's to say that I couldn't?
Light tomato sauce does not overpower the taste of meatballs, instead complements it.
Ingredients:
- Ground beef (I like using a mix of beef and pork)
- Egg
- Breadcrumbs
- Garlic
- Onion
- Nutmeg
- Parsley
- Flour
- Tomato Sauce
- Oregano
- Basil
- Oil
- Salt and fresh ground pepper
Directions:
- Mix ground beef, half of the onions, garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, nutmeg, parsley, water, salt, and pepper in a large bowl by hand until just combined.
- Roll meatballs to about the size of a golf ball. Roll each into flour to give it a good coating.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Fry meatballs until just browned, about 3-4 minutes on each side. Don’t worry about the center getting cooked through as you will finish these in the sauce.
- Remove from the skillet and keep warm. Add 1 tablespoon flour to the skillet and brown until golden but not brown. Add remaining chopped onions and sauté until softened. Add tomato sauce, oregano, and basil and bring to a low simmer.
- Arrange meatballs in the sauce, turning each one over to coat. Cover and simmer gently for 15-20 minutes.
Serve with the sauce over spaghetti or other pasta and crusty bread. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and grated Parmesan for garnish if you wish.
Ćufte – Bosnian style Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground Beef I like using a mix of beef and pork
- 1 Egg
- ½ cup Breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup lukewarm Water
- 1 clove Garlic minced
- 1 small Onion chopped and divided
- ¼ teaspoon Nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh Parsley
- 1 tablespoons Flour plus more for coating
- 1 8 oz. can Tomato Sauce
- 1 teaspoon dry Oregano
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh or dry Basil
- 2 tablespoons Oil
- Salt and fresh ground Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Mix ground beef, half of the onions, garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, nutmeg, parsley, water, salt and pepper in a large bowl by hand until just combined.
- Roll meatballs to about the size of a golf ball. Roll each into flour to give it a good coating.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Fry meatballs until just browned, about 3-4 minutes on each side. Don’t worry about the center getting cooked through as you will finish these in the sauce.
- Remove from the skillet and keep warm. Add 1 tablespoon flour to the skillet and brown until golden but not brown. Add remaining chopped onions and sauté until softened. Add tomato sauce, oregano and basil and bring to a low simmer.
- Arrange meatballs in the sauce, turning each one over to coat. Cover and simmer gently for 15-20 minutes.
- Serve with the sauce over spaghetti or other pasta and crusty bread. Sprinkle with chopped parsley for garnish if you want.
Sadie Seasongoods says
Mmmm, I love the warm spices in this recipe! Will definitely have to try my hand at it. Thank you for linking up at Snickerdoodle Sunday- hope to see your latest makes & makes tonight!!
Sarah (Sadie Seasongoods)
allthatsjas says
Thank you, Sarah! 🙂
Theresa @DearCreatives says
These sound amazing. I can't wait to try your recipe. Pinned & shared. Hope to see you again at this week's Inspiration Spotlight. Have a great weekend ahead.
allthatsjas says
Thank you, Theresa. Wishing you a great weekend as well!
Jennifer says
Such great flavors. Sounds great. Thanks for sharing at My Flagstaff Home!
Jennifer
allthatsjas says
Thanks for the party, Jennifer!
Lou Lou Girls says
I'm licking my lips right now! Looks so good! Pinned and tweeted. We truly appreciate you taking the time to be a part of our party. Please stop by and party with us again. The party starts Monday at 7 pm and ends on Friday at 7 pm. Happy Sunday! Lou Lou Girls
allthatsjas says
THANK YOU, and thanks for hosting!!! 😀
easypeasylifematters says
Oh my! These sound good! Just perfect for Fall weather! 🙂
allthatsjas says
Thank you!!! Speaking of perfect for fall weather, how about your pumpkin scones? Yummy! Thanks for stopping in 🙂
Nicole says
This recipe looks great!
allthatsjas says
Thank you, Nicole! 🙂
Bam's Kitchen says
Now this looks like some delicious comfort food. I think we can "stuff" some of these delicious meatballs in my teenagers mouths and they would be happy little campers. Filling and delicious, perfect teenager food! Pinned!
allthatsjas says
Lol, I like what you did there 😉 Yeah, we pretty much stuff our faces with them regularly. Thanks, Bobbi, and hope your day is wonderful!
Jasna says
Volim ih na bilo koji nacin...Sa spagetama izgledaju odlicno!
allthatsjas says
Hvala, Jasna. Ja samo nase volim, ove ovdje kobojagi talijanske su grozne, samo ih potope u paradajz sos. 🙂