Baked Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
Get ready to savor the ultimate comfort food with this hearty recipe for Baked Meatballs in Tomato Sauce! Made with a flavorful blend of ground beef and pork, these tender meatballs are mixed with Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, fresh parsley, and a hint of garlic for irresistible depth. Gently baked to golden perfection and then simmered in a rich, aromatic tomato sauce infused with onions, dried oregano, and a touch of red chili flakes, this dish strikes the perfect balance between savory and tangy. Ready in just under an hour, it’s a crowd-pleaser ideal for family dinners or entertaining guests. Serve these juicy meatballs over pasta, alongside crusty bread, or enjoy them as a standalone dish—each bite bursting with classic Italian-inspired flavors!
Log this recipe in SnapCalorie
Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 500 g Ground beef
- 250 g Ground pork
- 100 g Breadcrumbs
- 50 g Grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large Egg
- 2 pieces Garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp Chopped parsley
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 800 g Canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
- 1 tsp Dried oregano
- 0.25 tsp Red chili flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 2 tbsp Fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Avoid over-mixing as this can make the meatballs tough.
Using your hands or a small scoop, form the mixture into meatballs approximately 1.5 inches in diameter. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Drizzle the meatballs with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until golden brown but not fully cooked through.
While the meatballs bake, prepare the tomato sauce. Heat a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil.
Add the chopped onion to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until soft and translucent. Stir in the dried oregano, red chili flakes (if using), and minced garlic, and cook for another minute.
Pour in the canned crushed tomatoes and stir to combine. Add the sugar and season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Once the meatballs are browned, transfer them to the skillet with the tomato sauce. Gently nestle them into the sauce, spooning some sauce over the top of each meatball.
Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for 15-20 minutes, or until fully cooked through and tender.
Garnish the finished dish with fresh chopped basil and serve hot with pasta, crusty bread, or a side of your choice.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1597 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 125.5 g | 161% | |
| Saturated Fat | 49.6 g | 248% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 624 mg | 208% | |
| Sodium | 3660 mg | 159% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 16.0 g | 6% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.5 g | 9% | |
| Total Sugars | 9.0 g | ||
| Protein | 112.3 g | 225% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.3 mcg | 7% | |
| Calcium | 683 mg | 53% | |
| Iron | 10.2 mg | 57% | |
| Potassium | 1487 mg | 32% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
