Kittencal's Italian Tomato Pasta Sauce and Parmesan Meatballs

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with Kittencal's Italian Tomato Pasta Sauce and Parmesan Meatballs, a hearty and flavor-packed dish that’s perfect for any occasion. This recipe features tender, homemade meatballs crafted from a savory blend of ground beef, ground pork, Parmesan cheese, and aromatic herbs, simmered to perfection in a rich, homemade tomato sauce. The sauce shines with the classic flavors of garlic, onions, crushed tomatoes, and a subtle kick of red pepper flakes, creating the perfect pairing for your favorite pasta. With a 30-minute prep time and simple, straightforward steps, this dish is as easy as it is impressive. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve up a bowl of Italian-inspired comfort that will have everyone asking for seconds. Perfect for cozy family dinners or entertaining guests, this recipe brings authentic Italian flavors right to your table!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:90 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)
• 1 pound ground beef
• 0.5 pounds ground pork
• 0.75 cups breadcrumbs
• 0.5 cups grated Parmesan cheese
• 0.25 cups milk
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet or saucepan over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 4-5 minutes.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Pour in the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste, then stir to combine.

Step 5

Add the sugar, dried basil, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes. Stir well and bring to a simmer.

Step 6

Lower the heat and let the sauce simmer gently while preparing the meatballs. Stir occasionally.

Step 7

In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, milk, egg, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper.

Step 8

Mix until all ingredients are well combined, but do not overmix to avoid tough meatballs.

Step 9

Using your hands, form the mixture into evenly sized meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter.

Step 10

Heat a separate large skillet over medium heat and lightly oil it. Brown the meatballs on all sides, working in batches if necessary. They do not need to be fully cooked at this stage.

Step 11

Transfer the browned meatballs into the tomato sauce and spoon the sauce over them.

Step 12

Cover the skillet or saucepan and let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for 30-35 minutes, or until fully cooked.

Step 13

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

Step 14

Serve the meatballs and sauce hot over cooked pasta of your choice, and garnish with fresh parsley, if using.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1881.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2820.0

Total Fat 183.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 65.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.6g
Cholesterol 790.3mg	0%
Sodium 5888.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 132.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.6g	0%
Total Sugars 50.9g
Protein 183.2g	0%

Vitamin D 80.6IU	0%
Calcium 971.7mg	0%
Iron 22.8mg	0%
Potassium 4231.9mg	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: 56.6%

Protein: 25.2%

Carbs: 18.3%