Bring the warmth of Italian-American comfort food into your kitchen with this beloved Buca di Beppo Meatballs and Meatball Sauce recipe. Featuring a rich blend of ground beef and pork, these tender, flavorful meatballs are elevated with classic ingredients like Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and minced garlic. Baked to perfection and simmered to perfection in a robust tomato sauce infused with aromatic herbs and a hint of red pepper flakes, this dish is a true crowd-pleaser. Whether served over al dente spaghetti or paired with crusty Italian bread, these hearty meatballs and their savory homemade sauce are perfect for family dinners, special gatherings, or a cozy night in. Versatile, easy to prepare, and absolutely bursting with authentic flavor, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your recipe collection!
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with olive oil.
In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, eggs, minced garlic, milk, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly with your hands until well-combined, but do not overmix.
Using your hands or an ice cream scoop, form the mixture into meatballs about 2 inches in diameter. Place the meatballs evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until browned and slightly firm to the touch. Remove from the oven and set aside.
While the meatballs are baking, start the sauce. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion to the saucepan and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the minced garlic, dried oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. Cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and granulated sugar to the saucepan. Stir to combine. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently.
Add the baked meatballs to the simmering sauce, ensuring they are fully submerged. Cover the pot partially with a lid and let the meatballs cook in the sauce for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.
Serve the meatballs and sauce over cooked spaghetti, or enjoy them on their own with crusty Italian bread. Garnish with additional grated Parmesan and parsley, if desired.
Calories |
4052 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 265.7 g | 341% | |
| Saturated Fat | 102.5 g | 512% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1158 mg | 386% | |
| Sodium | 7643 mg | 332% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 163.2 g | 59% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 21.5 g | 77% | |
| Total Sugars | 53.9 g | ||
| Protein | 261.3 g | 523% | |
| Vitamin D | 3.8 mcg | 19% | |
| Calcium | 1886 mg | 145% | |
| Iron | 29.7 mg | 165% | |
| Potassium | 4282 mg | 91% | |
*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.