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If you’re a fan of my creamy chicken recipes that go by the same name, you’re going to love this Marry Me Meatballs too! It’s a real family friendly take on the popular dish and is an easy and delicious midweek dinner.
My children LOVE meatballs for dinner, so it was inevitable that at some point, Marry Me Chicken would merge with a homemade meatball recipe and become.. Marry Me Meatballs!
Meatballs in a tomato sauce is a classic but sometimes it’s fun to try something new! This is easy to make and packed with flavour.
Why you’ll love this Marry Me Meatballs recipe
⭐️ Made in one pan
⭐️ Easy and quick for midweek meal
⭐️ Perfect for batch cooking
What are Marry Me Meatballs?
If you haven’t heard of Marry Me Chicken, my take of this recipe was an instant hit when I first published it – so much so that I have adapted it into many different versions! (See a few of these below.)
It is made up of chicken in a Tuscan-style creamy tomato sauce (said to be so good that it could prompt a proposal…)
As its popularity doesn’t seem to wane, I thought it was time we had a juicy meatball version!
Marry Me Meatballs Ingredients
- Chicken mince – Not an overly common ingredient but so full of flavour and much cheaper than beef (bonus). You can also substitute turkey thigh mince if you prefer.
- Herbs – Dried oregano and paprika.
- Parmesan – Grated yourself or pre-grated is fine. Grana Padano is a good, slightly cheaper alternative to Parmesan if you prefer.
- Olive oil – To fry the meatballs in.
- Garlic – I use peeled and crushed fresh garlic here, but feel free to use pre-prepared from a jar or pack.
- Sun dried tomatoes – The type in an oil-filled jar, not the very dry ones. You could use the oil in the jar for cooking the meatballs instead of the olive oil for an extra boost of flavour.
- Cream – Double cream (heavy cream) for flavour and texture.
- Chicken stock – Made from a cube is fine.
- Basil – A generous handful of fresh leaves.
- Lemon – The juice from half.
How to make Marry Me Meatballs
1. Place the chicken mince, half the oregano, half the paprika and half the parmesan in a bowl, along with a good pinch of salt and pepper.
2. Use your hands to mix everything together then roll the mince into balls (around 16 meatballs).
3. Fry the meatballs as per the recipe below until golden, then remove from the pan.
4. Add the garlic, sundried tomatoes and the remaining dried oregano and paprika. Cook for a few minutes. Add the cream, stock and the rest of the parmesan, season and stir. Add the meatballs back in.
Storing
I ALWAYS make a double batch when I’m making meatballs.
In the freezer Make double the recipe amount (minus the sauce) and, once cooled, freeze a few portions in freezer-safe containers for another day.
In the fridge Leftovers will also keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Simply reheat thoroughly when you’re ready.
What to serve with Marry Me Meatballs
This works alongside so many sides, including mashed potato, pasta, roasted veggies or rice.
You could try out Couscous or Boulangere Potatoes too.
More Marry Me Chicken recipes…
One Pot Pasta
Marry Me Chicken Orzo {One Pot Recipe}
Under 30 minutes
Marry Me Chicken Pasta {One Pot Recipe}
Slow Cooker Chicken
Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken
FAQs
The trick is to not overcook them in the pan, so make sure you fry them until completely browned, and remove them from the pan as you make a start on the sauce, rather than leaving them in.
They will then go back into the sauce liquid to gently bubble and cook through, making them nice and juicy and tender.
Let me know how you got on and what you thought of these recipes. Please rate the recipe using the ⭐️ below.
Also I’d LOVE to see your cooking creations. If you’d like to share yours with me, you can tag me on Instagram (@tamingtwins).
Marry Me Meatballs
Ingredients
- 500 g (18 oz) Chicken mince
- 2 tsp Dried oregano
- 2 tsp Paprika
- 50 g (0.5 cups) Parmesan, Grated
- 1 tbsp Olive oil, See notes
- 3 Garlic cloves, Peeled and crushed
- 150 g (5 oz) Sun dried tomatoes, Roughly chopped
- 150 ml (0.75 cups) Double cream (heavy cream)
- 200 ml (1 cups) Chicken stock
- 15 g (0.5 oz) Basil leaves
- 1/2 Lemon, Juice only
Instructions
- Place the chicken mince, half the oregano, half the paprika and half the parmesan in a bowl, along with a good pinch of salt and pepper. Use clean hands to mix everything together then roll the mince into balls (around 16 meatballs makes sure they’re a good size.)
- In a large deep frying pan, heat the oil over a medium heat and fry the meatballs for 10 minutes until golden all over then remove them to a plate.
- Add the garlic, sun dried tomatoes and the remaining dried oregano and paprika, and cook for a few minutes until the garlic has softened.
- Add the cream, stock and the rest of the parmesan, along with some salt and pepper. Give everything a good stir, add the meatballs back in and cook for 5 more minutes.
- Check the meatballs are cooked through then remove the pan from the heat, sprinkle over the basil leave and squeeze over the lemon juice.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
We love all the other Marry Me’s and this one did not disappoint! Kids loved it.