Hand-Rolled Southern Meatballs in Slow Tomato Gravy

Before jarred sauces existed, Sunday kitchens simmered tomatoes for hours until they became thick, rich gravy. These meatballs are rolled completely from scratch with fresh herbs, garlic, and breadcrumbs made from homemade bread. The sauce builds slowly from fresh tomatoes and aromatics, finished with cannabis basil butter that melts into the pot.

Terpene Pairing

Limonene + Caryophyllene — bright citrus lift from tomato and basil with peppery savory depth.

Suggested Strains

Super Lemon Haze • Tangie • OG Kush

Step 1 — Decarboxylation

Ingredients

3.5 grams cannabis flower (medium grind)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 240°F (115°C).
2. Spread cannabis on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
3. Bake 35–40 minutes, stirring halfway through.
4. Allow to cool completely.

Step 2 — Cannabis Basil Butter

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup water
Decarboxylated cannabis
2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Melt butter and water over very low heat.
2. Stir in cannabis.
3. Maintain 160–180°F temperature.
4. Simmer gently 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
5. Strain through cheesecloth.
6. Refrigerate until butter solidifies.
7. Remove butter layer and discard water.
8. Mix softened butter with basil, garlic, and pepper.

Step 3 — Homemade Tomato Gravy

Ingredients

2 lbs fresh tomatoes, crushed
1 onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a heavy pot.
2. Cook onion 5 minutes until soft.
3. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
4. Stir in crushed tomatoes.
5. Add salt, pepper, sugar, oregano, and basil.
6. Simmer uncovered 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 4 — Hand-Rolled Meatballs

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
½ lb ground pork
1 cup fresh breadcrumbs (from homemade bread)
2 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup chopped parsley
1 egg
½ cup grated parmesan
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl.
2. Mix gently until just combined.
3. Roll into golf ball sized meatballs.

Step 5 — Cook the Meatballs

Instructions

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat with olive oil.

2. Brown meatballs 2–3 minutes per side.

3. Transfer browned meatballs to simmering tomato gravy.

4. Simmer gently 30 minutes.

5. Stir in 2 tablespoons cannabis basil butter.

6. Spoon sauce over meatballs before serving.

Serve With

Fresh handmade pasta
Garlic bread
Simple garden salad