My Italian Meatballs and Sauce

Indulge in the rich, comforting flavors of "My Italian Meatballs and Sauce," a classic homemade dish that combines tender, hand-rolled meatballs with a savory tomato sauce. This recipe features a perfect blend of ground beef and pork, seasoned with garlic, parsley, and Parmesan cheese, and bound together with breadcrumbs and egg for an irresistibly juicy texture. The meatballs are seared for a beautiful golden crust before simmering in a robust sauce made from crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and fragrant herbs like oregano and basil. Adding a touch of sweetness with sugar balances the bold flavors, creating a deliciously hearty sauce. With just 20 minutes of prep time and 40 minutes of cooking, this crowd-pleasing recipe is perfect for serving over pasta, creamy polenta, or alongside crusty bread. Whether for a cozy family dinner or a refined weekend meal, these Italian meatballs are a timeless favorite that will elevate your homemade dining experience.

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground beef
• 0.5 pound Ground pork
• 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs
• 0.3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons Parsley, chopped
• 1 large Egg
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 28 ounces Canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 1 small Onion, finely diced
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced (for sauce)
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Dried basil
• 1 teaspoon Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Salt (for sauce)
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper (for sauce)

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, chopped parsley, egg, salt, and black pepper.

Step 2

Mix with your hands until all ingredients are thoroughly combined but do not overmix.

Step 3

Roll the mixture into golf-ball-sized meatballs and set them on a plate or baking sheet.

Step 4

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove meatballs and set aside.

Step 5

In the same skillet, add the diced onion. Sauté over medium heat until softened, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 6

Add minced garlic to the onions and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 7

Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to let the flavors deepen.

Step 8

Pour in the crushed tomatoes and add oregano, basil, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.

Step 9

Bring the sauce to a simmer, then gently add the browned meatballs to the sauce.

Step 10

Cover and let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 11

Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve the meatballs and sauce over pasta, polenta, or with crusty bread.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1779.6 grams (1779.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2761

Total Fat 185.80g	238%
Saturated Fat 65.60g	328%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.60g
Cholesterol 765mg	255%
Sodium 7429mg	323%
Total Carbohydrate 111.60g	41%
Dietary Fiber 19.20g	69%
Total Sugars 48.40g
Protein 181.60g	363%

Vitamin D 86IU	428%
Calcium 721mg	55%
Iron 25mg	138%
Potassium 4555mg	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: 58.8%

Protein: 25.5%

Carbs: 15.7%