Italian recipes
  1. Home
  2. Recipe types
  3. Appetizers
  4. Herby bread balls with tomato salsa
Appetizers

Herby bread balls with tomato salsa

⏱ 45 min🍳 15 min👤 3 pp★★☆☆☆

These bread balls are a surprisingly light and tasty to make as last minute starter or main course. It is made with a few simple ingredients that you will certainly have in your store cupboard. You don’t need to go shopping - on the contrary, you can make the most of any old bread left in the bread bin. In Puglia these balls are a real staple in many households: there, they are served as part of a ‘stew’, as described here. If you do not fancy the idea of a sauce with them, you can also serve them as they are, still warm, fragrant and crispy. In the first case they lend themselves to being a great main course; in the second case they are perfect as a starter.

Ingredients

Nutritional values 520 kcal / serving
Protein
16g
Carbohydrates
32g
Fat
38g
Fiber
2g

* approximate values per serving

Information
45 minutes Total time
15 minutes Active time
Serves 3 persons
★★☆☆☆ Medium difficulty

Preparation

Soak the small pieces of bread in milk. Meanwhile, break the eggs and beat them with grated cheeses. Squeeze the bread well and add it to the egg mixture. Then add the chopped parsley, salt, and the tip of a chopped up garlic clove. Mix well, crushing the bread with a fork. Set the mixture aside. Take a frying pan and fry the garlic in a little olive oil. Stir in the passata, a bay leaf, a pinch of oregano, and salt and pepper. Simmer for fifteen minutes. Meanwhile, heat some more oil. Fry the bread balls few at a time, dropping them in the oil with the help of two teaspoons. When the balls are fried, mix them quickly in the prepared sauce and serve.

Tips
These balls should be fried in oil that is not too hot, otherwise you risk burning them!
Trivia
In Puglia these little balls are also called ‘egg balls’

Step by step

Ingredients
Ingredients
**Click on the photos to access full step by step!

Additional information

Bread Meatballs with Tomato Sauce

One of the most delicious variations of Bread Meatballs is the one with the addition of tomato sauce, which gives a rich and enveloping flavor. To prepare this version, start by following the basic recipe, but make sure to use high-quality tomato sauce. The meatballs, once cooked, can be served with a generous tomato sauce, which pairs perfectly with their rustic flavor. You can accompany them with a side of mashed potatoes or a simple green salad. This preparation is ideal for a family lunch or a dinner with friends, bringing to the table a dish that combines tradition with the goodness of fresh and genuine flavors.

Pugliese Bread Meatballs

The Pugliese Bread Meatballs are characterized by the use of ingredients typical of the Apulian culinary tradition. In this variation, in addition to stale bread, you can add herbs like rosemary and oregano, which enhance the flavor of the dish. Furthermore, the cooking takes place in a tomato sauce with onion and basil, making the dish particularly flavorful. The meatballs can be served with a side of sautéed chicory or with a slice of homemade bread, for a meal that evokes the authentic flavors of Puglia. This preparation is perfect for those who want to discover the culinary roots of this wonderful Italian region.

Light Bread Meatballs without Eggs

For those looking for a lighter version of Bread Meatballs, it is possible to make them without eggs, making the dish suitable even for those following a vegan diet. In this variation, the bread can be soaked in plant-based milk and bound with mashed potatoes or a mixture of chickpea flour and water. This not only reduces calories but also maintains the soft and flavorful consistency of the meatballs. You can bake them for an even lighter preparation, avoiding the use of excess oil. Serve them with a fresh tomato sauce for a healthy and tasty meal that satisfies the palate without weighing it down.

Bread Meatballs: Benefits and Calories

Thanks to the use of simple and nutritious ingredients, Bread Meatballs offer several benefits. Stale bread, used as a base, is a source of complex carbohydrates, while the addition of cheeses like pecorino and grana provides protein and calcium. Parsley, rich in vitamins and minerals, contributes to giving freshness to the dish. In terms of calories, a serving of bread meatballs can contain about 250-300 calories, depending on the ingredients used and the cooking methods. For those who wish to maintain a balanced diet, this dish represents a valid option, especially when accompanied by vegetable side dishes.

Can Bread Meatballs be Frozen?

Yes, Bread Meatballs can be frozen without any problems. After preparing and cooking them, let them cool completely before placing them in an airtight container or in freezer-safe food bags. It is advisable to separate the meatballs with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together. When you want to consume them, you can thaw them in the refrigerator for a few hours or cook them directly from the freezer, perhaps in a hot tomato sauce. This convenience makes bread meatballs an excellent solution for quick and tasty meals even on the busiest days.