Description
Sink your fork into these rich, savory Italian Meatballs, a classic comfort dish packed with juicy ground meat, herbs, and cheese, all simmered in a bold, homemade marinara sauce. Perfect for a quick dinner idea, cozy weekend meal, or impressive dinner party dish, this easy recipe blends tradition with versatility. Whether you’re hunting for a hearty dinner idea, a freezer-friendly food option, or simply craving a homestyle meal, these meatballs are the answer. Serve them with pasta, garlic bread, or enjoy as-is for a delicious, protein-packed bite.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1/2 lb ground pork
1/2 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, grated
1/4 cup whole milk
1 large egg
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Pinch red pepper flakes
2 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
28 oz crushed tomatoes
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp dried basil
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
1 lb cooked spaghetti
Extra grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine beef and pork with breadcrumbs, Parmesan, parsley, garlic, onion, milk, egg, oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mix gently until just combined.
2. Shape mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs using a scoop or oiled hands. Place on a parchment-lined sheet.
3. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake meatballs for 18–20 minutes OR pan-fry in batches in a hot skillet until browned on all sides.
4. For sauce, heat olive oil in a skillet or saucepan. Sauté garlic until fragrant, then add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10–15 minutes.
5. Add browned meatballs to sauce. Simmer on low heat for 20–30 minutes to finish cooking and infuse flavor.
6. Serve meatballs hot over spaghetti, with extra sauce and a sprinkle of Parmesan and fresh herbs.
Notes
For extra tender meatballs, don’t skip soaking the breadcrumbs in milk.
Let the meatball mixture rest before shaping for better hold.
Add a splash of red wine to the sauce for deeper flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 meatballs
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Italian meatballs, easy dinner, homemade meatballs, freezer meal, pasta topping, comfort food