Classic Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Savor the comforting flavors of 'Classic Meatballs in Tomato Sauce,' a timeless dish that brings family-style dining to your table. Perfectly seasoned beef and pork meatballs are combined with ingredients like parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, and a hint of garlic before being seared to golden perfection. They’re then simmered gently in a rich, homemade tomato sauce infused with fragrant oregano and basil, delivering a burst of Italian-inspired flavors in every bite. Ideal for pairing with al dente pasta or crusty bread, this recipe is a hearty, crowd-pleasing favorite that’s both easy to prepare and endlessly satisfying. With just 30 minutes of prep and 40 minutes of cooking, this classic recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or special weekend gatherings!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams ground beef
• 250 grams ground pork
• 100 grams breadcrumbs
• 120 ml milk
• 1 whole large egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 50 grams parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 800 grams canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 120 ml water

Directions

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, minced garlic, parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until all ingredients are well incorporated.

Step 2

Roll the meat mixture into balls about the size of a golf ball and place them on a plate. This should yield approximately 20 to 24 meatballs.

Step 3

In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches, making sure not to overcrowd them. Sear the meatballs on all sides until browned, about 5 minutes per batch. Remove the meatballs and set aside.

Step 4

In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened and translucent.

Step 5

Stir in the canned crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, and sugar. Add the water to the pan and stir the sauce to combine.

Step 6

Bring the sauce to a simmer, then carefully add the browned meatballs back into the skillet.

Step 7

Cover the skillet and let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meatballs are cooked through.

Step 8

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

Step 9

Serve the meatballs with sauce over your choice of pasta, or with crusty bread. Garnish with additional parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2062.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3150.5

Total Fat 200.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 73.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.6g
Cholesterol 854.1mg	0%
Sodium 6470.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 158.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 22.0g	0%
Total Sugars 58.3g
Protein 196.6g	0%

Vitamin D 81.0IU	0%
Calcium 1170.5mg	0%
Iron 27.1mg	0%
Potassium 4722.2mg	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: 55.9%

Protein: 24.4%

Carbs: 19.6%