Baked Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Get ready to savor the ultimate comfort food with this hearty recipe for Baked Meatballs in Tomato Sauce! Made with a flavorful blend of ground beef and pork, these tender meatballs are mixed with Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, fresh parsley, and a hint of garlic for irresistible depth. Gently baked to golden perfection and then simmered in a rich, aromatic tomato sauce infused with onions, dried oregano, and a touch of red chili flakes, this dish strikes the perfect balance between savory and tangy. Ready in just under an hour, it’s a crowd-pleaser ideal for family dinners or entertaining guests. Serve these juicy meatballs over pasta, alongside crusty bread, or enjoy them as a standalone dish—each bite bursting with classic Italian-inspired flavors!

Nutriscore Rating: 56/100

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 Grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large Egg
• 2 pieces Garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp Chopped parsley
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 1 tbsp Olive oil
• 800 g Canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
• 1 tsp Dried oregano
• 0.25 tsp Red chili flakes (optional)
• 1 tsp Sugar
• 2 tbsp Fresh basil, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Avoid over-mixing as this can make the meatballs tough.

Step 3

Using your hands or a small scoop, form the mixture into meatballs approximately 1.5 inches in diameter. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 4

Drizzle the meatballs with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until golden brown but not fully cooked through.

Step 5

While the meatballs bake, prepare the tomato sauce. Heat a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil.

Step 6

Add the chopped onion to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until soft and translucent. Stir in the dried oregano, red chili flakes (if using), and minced garlic, and cook for another minute.

Step 7

Pour in the canned crushed tomatoes and stir to combine. Add the sugar and season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 8

Once the meatballs are browned, transfer them to the skillet with the tomato sauce. Gently nestle them into the sauce, spooning some sauce over the top of each meatball.

Step 9

Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for 15-20 minutes, or until fully cooked through and tender.

Step 10

Garnish the finished dish with fresh chopped basil and serve hot with pasta, crusty bread, or a side of your choice.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(753.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1597.4

Total Fat 125.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 49.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.3g
Cholesterol 623.5mg	0%
Sodium 3660.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 16.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 2.5g	0%
Total Sugars 9.0g
Protein 112.3g	0%

Vitamin D 53.8IU	0%
Calcium 683.2mg	0%
Iron 10.2mg	0%
Potassium 1487.3mg	0%

*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: 68.8%

Protein: 27.3%

Carbs: 3.9%