Buca Di Beppo Meatballs and Meatball Sauce

Bring the warmth of Italian-American comfort food into your kitchen with this beloved Buca di Beppo Meatballs and Meatball Sauce recipe. Featuring a rich blend of ground beef and pork, these tender, flavorful meatballs are elevated with classic ingredients like Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and minced garlic. Baked to perfection and simmered to perfection in a robust tomato sauce infused with aromatic herbs and a hint of red pepper flakes, this dish is a true crowd-pleaser. Whether served over al dente spaghetti or paired with crusty Italian bread, these hearty meatballs and their savory homemade sauce are perfect for family dinners, special gatherings, or a cozy night in. Versatile, easy to prepare, and absolutely bursting with authentic flavor, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your recipe collection!

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:110 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1.5 pounds Ground beef (80/20 blend)
• 0.5 pounds Ground pork
• 1 cup Breadcrumbs
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley (chopped)
• 2 large Eggs
• 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 0.25 cup Milk
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 28 ounces Crushed tomatoes (canned)
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 1 medium Yellow onion (finely chopped)
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Dried basil
• 0.25 teaspoon Red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon Granulated sugar

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with olive oil.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, eggs, minced garlic, milk, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly with your hands until well-combined, but do not overmix.

Step 3

Using your hands or an ice cream scoop, form the mixture into meatballs about 2 inches in diameter. Place the meatballs evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 4

Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until browned and slightly firm to the touch. Remove from the oven and set aside.

Step 5

While the meatballs are baking, start the sauce. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Step 6

Add the chopped onion to the saucepan and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 7

Stir in the minced garlic, dried oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. Cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 8

Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and granulated sugar to the saucepan. Stir to combine. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently.

Step 9

Add the baked meatballs to the simmering sauce, ensuring they are fully submerged. Cover the pot partially with a lid and let the meatballs cook in the sauce for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

Step 10

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

Step 11

Serve the meatballs and sauce over cooked spaghetti, or enjoy them on their own with crusty Italian bread. Garnish with additional grated Parmesan and parsley, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2287.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4052.0

Total Fat 265.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 102.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 1158.5mg	0%
Sodium 7642.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 163.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.5g	0%
Total Sugars 53.9g
Protein 261.3g	0%

Vitamin D 151.0IU	0%
Calcium 1885.5mg	0%
Iron 29.7mg	0%
Potassium 4281.9mg	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: 58.5%

Protein: 25.6%

Carbs: 16.0%