Simple Saucy Meatballs
Get ready to elevate your comfort food game with these Simple Saucy Meatballs! This delicious recipe features a perfectly balanced blend of ground beef and pork, seasoned with Parmesan cheese, garlic, and Italian herbs for a flavor-packed bite. The meatballs are gently browned before being simmered to perfection in a rich, aromatic tomato sauce made with crushed tomatoes, onion, garlic, and a hint of sweetness from sugar. Quick to prepare in just under an hour, these tender, juicy meatballs are ideal for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. Serve them over pasta, rice, or pair with crusty bread for a meal that’s as versatile as it is satisfying. Whether you're cooking for the family or meal-prepping for the week, this recipe promises a hearty, saucy dish that everyone will love.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 0.5 lb ground pork
- 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
- 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 6 fresh basil leaves
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, egg, milk, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Mix until just combined—do not overmix.
Using your hands, form the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs and place them on a plate or baking sheet. This should yield about 16-18 meatballs.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan.
Cook the meatballs for 2-3 minutes per side until browned. They don’t need to be cooked through at this point. Remove them from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add chopped onion and cook over medium heat until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir in the tomato paste, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), and sugar. Stir well to combine.
Simmer the sauce over low heat for 5 minutes, then gently nestle the meatballs into the sauce. Cover the skillet and let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for 20-25 minutes, occasionally stirring to prevent sticking.
Once the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce has thickened, taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve hot over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2731 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 175.9 g | 226% | |
| Saturated Fat | 60.8 g | 304% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 724 mg | 241% | |
| Sodium | 5118 mg | 222% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 126.4 g | 46% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 29.2 g | 104% | |
| Total Sugars | 51.3 g | ||
| Protein | 180.5 g | 361% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.5 mcg | 8% | |
| Calcium | 1069 mg | 82% | |
| Iron | 31.4 mg | 174% | |
| Potassium | 5372 mg | 114% | |
*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.
