Meatballs and Red Sauce

Savor the comforting, classic flavors of homemade Meatballs and Red Sauce—a hearty dish that brings Italian-inspired delight to your table. Tender, juicy meatballs made from a blend of ground beef and pork are elevated with Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, and aromatic Italian herbs, then browned to perfection for a beautifully caramelized crust. The red sauce, simmered with garlic, onions, crushed tomatoes, and a touch of basil, creates a rich, savory base with just the right hint of sweetness. Whether served over a bed of pasta, paired with crusty bread, or enjoyed solo, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Ready in just an hour with simple ingredients, this dish is perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb Ground beef
• 0.5 lb Ground pork
• 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs
• 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 0.25 cup Milk
• 1 large Egg
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 28 oz Crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp Tomato paste
• 1 small Yellow onion, finely diced
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced (for sauce)
• 1 tsp Dried oregano
• 0.5 tsp Red pepper flakes
• 0.25 cup Fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1 tsp Sugar

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, milk, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender.

Step 2

Using your hands or a small scoop, form the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs and place them on a plate or baking sheet. You should have about 12-16 meatballs, depending on size.

Step 3

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the meatballs in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Brown the meatballs on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. They don't need to be fully cooked as they'll finish cooking in the sauce. Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.

Step 4

In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Stir in the tomato paste, cooking for 1 minute to enhance its flavor, then pour in the crushed tomatoes. Add oregano, red pepper flakes, sugar, and salt to taste. Stir to combine and let the sauce come to a simmer.

Step 6

Carefully nestle the browned meatballs into the sauce. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 7

Stir in the chopped fresh basil during the last 5 minutes of cooking for a burst of fresh flavor.

Step 8

Serve the meatballs and red sauce over cooked pasta, with crusty bread, or on their own. Garnish with additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1913.1 grams (1913.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2636

Total Fat 175.70g	225%
Saturated Fat 61.40g	307%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.60g
Cholesterol 750mg	250%
Sodium 4216mg	183%
Total Carbohydrate 108.30g	39%
Dietary Fiber 17.60g	63%
Total Sugars 42.70g
Protein 170.30g	341%

Vitamin D 81IU	403%
Calcium 730mg	56%
Iron 23mg	127%
Potassium 3595mg	76%

*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: 58.7%

Protein: 25.3%

Carbs: 16.1%