Meatball Cannellini Bean Ragout
This year my sister and I decided that we were not going to cook the traditional Easter meal that we always cook. It is a tradition that we love but this year, we just needed a break. So the three of us (sister, daughter and myself) went to Classics on Noble for Brunch and it was really nice. Since I knew we would be having a big brunch today, I wanted to make something light for dinner. I had ground beef on hand so I scanned my cupboards to see what I could come up with. Onions and garlic, check. Can of Cannellini beans, check. Can of crushed tomatoes, check. Lots of yummy spices, check. Rice, check. Of course, all of those items I just listed are always in my cupboard. That is why it is always so easy to throw an easy, light and inexpensive meal together at a moment’s notice. I am calling this recipe Meatball Cannellini Bean Ragout. It has incredible flavor and you could easily have this dish on the table in a little over 30 minutes. On the other hand you could also prep it and put it in the Slow Cooker/Crock-pot and let it cook low and slow all day while you are at work. Either way, I know you and your family will love this recipe. Afiyet olsun!
- 1 Pound Lean Ground Beef
- 1 Medium Onion
- 1 15 ounce can Cannellini Beans, rinsed
- 1 32 ounce can Crushed Tomatoes
- 1½ Teaspoons Salt
- ½ Teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 Teaspoon Cumin
- ½ Teaspoon Aleppo pepper or Crushed Red Pepper
- ½ Teaspoon Dried Parsley
- 2-3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- Finely chop or grate ½ of the onion and place in a mixing bowl.
- Add the ground beef, ½ Teaspoon of the Salt, Black pepper, and cumin.
- Mix well.
- Heat the olive oil in a large pan.
- Rough chop the other half of the onion and place in the olive oil.
- Saute 4-5 minutes until translucent. Lower heat to low.
- Roll the meat mixture into tiny balls and place in the large pan.
- When all the meat has been rolled into meatballs, return the heat to medium.
- Saute 5 minutes until slightly browned.
- Add the tomatoes, cannellini beans, Aleppo or crushed red pepper and parsley.
- Reduce heat and simmer 15 - 20 minutes. Serve with rice. Afiyet olsun!
