Indulge in the timeless comfort of homemade Meatballs in Tomato Sauce, a dish that combines tender, flavor-packed meatballs with a rich, aromatic tomato sauce. Perfectly seasoned with a blend of ground beef, ground pork, Parmesan, and fresh parsley, these juicy meatballs are lightly browned to lock in flavor before simmering in a luscious sauce made with crushed tomatoes, garlic, onions, and a touch of sweetness from sugar. Infused with fresh basil and oregano, this recipe delivers an authentic Italian-inspired experience that's perfect for weeknight dinners or special gatherings. Serve it over al dente pasta, alongside crusty bread, or enjoy it solo for a hearty and satisfying meal that the whole family will love. This easy-to-follow recipe comes together in just one pan, making cleanup a breeze.
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, half of the minced garlic, egg, milk, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix gently but thoroughly with your hands until well combined.
Shape the mixture into meatballs, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter, and set them aside on a plate.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. In batches, brown the meatballs on all sides (they do not need to cook through). Remove the browned meatballs and set them aside.
In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the remaining minced garlic, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the canned crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Stir well and bring the sauce to a simmer.
Return the browned meatballs to the skillet, nestling them into the tomato sauce. Cover the skillet and let the meatballs simmer gently for about 25–30 minutes, or until cooked through.
Once the meatballs are cooked, stir chopped basil into the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Serve hot over pasta, with crusty bread, or on their own as a delicious main course.
Calories |
3141 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 200.1 g | 257% | |
| Saturated Fat | 73.0 g | 365% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 854 mg | 285% | |
| Sodium | 6473 mg | 281% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 155.7 g | 57% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 21.6 g | 77% | |
| Total Sugars | 56.8 g | ||
| Protein | 205.5 g | 411% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.0 mcg | 10% | |
| Calcium | 1153 mg | 89% | |
| Iron | 25.9 mg | 144% | |
| Potassium | 4752 mg | 101% | |
*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.