Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

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.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 g Ground beef
• 250 g Ground pork
• 100 g Breadcrumbs
• 50 g Parmesan cheese, grated
• 4 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 large Egg
• 60 ml Milk
• 15 g Parsley, chopped
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 800 g Canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp Tomato paste
• 1 medium Yellow onion, finely chopped
• 10 g Basil leaves, chopped
• 1 tsp Oregano, dried
• 1 tsp Sugar

Directions

Step 1

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.

Step 2

Shape the mixture into meatballs, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter, and set them aside on a plate.

Step 3

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.

Step 4

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.

Step 5

Stir in the remaining minced garlic, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 6

Add the canned crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Stir well and bring the sauce to a simmer.

Step 7

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.

Step 8

Once the meatballs are cooked, stir chopped basil into the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

Step 9

Serve hot over pasta, with crusty bread, or on their own as a delicious main course.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2037.7 grams (2037.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3141

Total Fat 200.10g	257%
Saturated Fat 73.00g	365%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.60g
Cholesterol 854mg	285%
Sodium 6473mg	281%
Total Carbohydrate 155.70g	57%
Dietary Fiber 21.60g	77%
Total Sugars 56.80g
Protein 205.50g	411%

Vitamin D 81IU	405%
Calcium 1153mg	89%
Iron 26mg	144%
Potassium 4752mg	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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 55.5%

Protein: 25.3%

Carbs: 19.2%