Dairy-Free Classic Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Sink your fork into these savory Dairy-Free Classic Meatballs in Tomato Sauce, a comforting dish that delivers all the flavor of a traditional recipe without any dairy. Crafted with a blend of ground beef and pork, these tender meatballs are seasoned with aromatic herbs like oregano and basil, and simmered to perfection in a rich, homemade tomato sauce. The dish features pantry staples like garlic, onions, and olive oil, with an optional splash of red wine for added depth. Perfect for pairing with pasta, rice, or freshly baked crusty bread, this crowd-pleaser is ready in just an hour and makes a wholesome, balanced meal for any night of the week. Whether you're dairy-free by necessity or by choice, these perfectly browned meatballs are sure to become a family favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 g Ground beef
• 250 g Ground pork
• 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
• 3 Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 Egg
• 100 g Breadcrumbs
• 1 tsp Oregano, dried
• 1 tsp Basil, dried
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 400 g Tomato puree
• 400 g Canned tomatoes, chopped
• 100 ml Red wine (optional)
• 1 Bay leaf

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.

Step 2

Shape the mixture into small meatballs, approximately 1.5 inches in diameter. You should have about 20 meatballs.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they are browned all over. Transfer the browned meatballs to a plate and set aside.

Step 4

In the same skillet, add tomato puree and canned chopped tomatoes. If using, pour in the red wine. Stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

Step 5

Add the bay leaf to the sauce and bring it to a gentle simmer. Return the meatballs to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce.

Step 6

Cover the skillet with a lid, reduce the heat to low, and let the meatballs simmer in the tomato sauce for about 25-30 minutes, or until they are cooked through and tender.

Step 7

Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve the meatballs hot, spooned over your choice of pasta, rice, or with crusty bread.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1956.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2950.9

Total Fat 182.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 62.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.4g
Cholesterol 775.0mg	0%
Sodium 5160.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 148.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 17.7g	0%
Total Sugars 43.4g
Protein 181.7g	0%

Vitamin D 48IU	0%
Calcium 370.9mg	0%
Iron 23.6mg	0%
Potassium 4043.0mg	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: 55.5%

Protein: 24.5%

Carbs: 20.0%