Description
This classic recipe features tender ground beef meatballs simmered in a rich, flavorful tomato sauce infused with garlic, herbs, and a touch of sweetness. Perfectly balanced, these meatballs make a comforting main course that pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or crusty bread for a hearty Italian-American meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, milk, egg, minced garlic, chopped parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined to avoid tough meatballs.
- Form the Meatballs: Roll the mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs and place them on a plate or tray to set aside.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add Tomato Ingredients: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, dried basil, oregano, and season with salt and pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
- Cook the Meatballs in Sauce: Carefully add the meatballs to the simmering sauce. Cover and cook for 25 to 30 minutes, turning the meatballs occasionally to ensure even cooking, until they are fully cooked through and tender.
- Serve: Serve the meatballs hot with sauce over pasta, rice, or alongside crusty bread for a delicious and hearty meal.
Notes
- You can brown the meatballs in a skillet before simmering them in the sauce for additional flavor and texture, but simmering directly helps keep them tender and juicy.
- These meatballs freeze well – let them cool completely before storing in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3–4 meatballs with sauce
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
