Italian Meatballs in Sauce

Dive into the rich flavors of Italian cuisine with this irresistible recipe for Italian Meatballs in Sauce. Made with a perfect blend of ground beef and pork, these tender, juicy meatballs are infused with Parmesan, fresh parsley, and garlic for authentic Italian flair. Browned to golden perfection and then simmered in a robust tomato sauce seasoned with herbs like oregano and basil, these meatballs are a comforting dish that's bursting with hearty goodness. Whether served over al dente pasta, paired with crusty bread, or enjoyed on their own, this recipe is a celebration of classic Italian home cooking. Ready in just an hour, it's perfect for family dinners, gatherings, or meal prepping.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams Ground beef
• 250 grams Ground pork
• 100 grams Breadcrumbs
• 60 grams Grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 large Eggs
• 3 Garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil
• 800 grams Canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 250 milliliters Chicken or beef stock
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Dried basil
• 1 teaspoon Sugar (optional, to balance acidity)

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, eggs, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Do not overmix to keep the meatballs tender.

Step 2

Form the mixture into meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter. Place them onto a baking sheet or plate. You should have around 16-20 meatballs, depending on size.

Step 3

Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches (to avoid overcrowding) and brown them on all sides, about 4-5 minutes per batch. Remove the browned meatballs and set them aside on a plate.

Step 4

In the same skillet or pot, add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken or beef stock, dried oregano, dried basil, and optional sugar. Stir well to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.

Step 5

Nestle the browned meatballs into the sauce, ensuring they are fully submerged. Lower the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer the meatballs in the sauce for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 6

Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper, if needed.

Step 7

Serve the meatballs and sauce hot over cooked pasta or with crusty bread on the side. Garnish with additional chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2165.6 grams (2165.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3287

Total Fat 217.90g	279%
Saturated Fat 77.50g	388%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.00g
Cholesterol 1011mg	337%
Sodium 5194mg	226%
Total Carbohydrate 142.80g	52%
Dietary Fiber 19.60g	70%
Total Sugars 49.80g
Protein 213.40g	427%

Vitamin D 82IU	410%
Calcium 1166mg	90%
Iron 28mg	156%
Potassium 4545mg	97%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 57.9%

Protein: 25.2%

Carbs: 16.9%