Mama Maroni's Meatballs and Sauce

Savor the comforting flavors of "Mama Maroni's Meatballs and Sauce," a classic Italian-American recipe that combines tender, oven-baked meatballs with a rich, fragrant tomato sauce. Made with a harmonious blend of ground beef and pork, Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and garlic, the meatballs are juicy and full of flavor, while the slow-simmered sauce features aromatic herbs, sweet crushed tomatoes, and a hint of sugar for balance. Perfect for a hearty family meal, this dish pairs beautifully with pasta, crusty bread, or even on its own. With just 20 minutes of prep time, this timeless recipe transforms simple ingredients into a nostalgic, crowd-pleasing feast that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground beef
• 0.5 pound Ground pork
• 0.75 cup Breadcrumbs
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tablespoons Parsley, fresh and finely chopped
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 2 large Eggs
• 0.25 cup Milk
• 1.5 teaspoons Salt
• 0.75 teaspoon Black pepper
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil
• 28 ounces Canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Dried basil
• 1 teaspoon Sugar
• 0.5 cup Water

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, minced garlic, eggs, milk, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined, being careful not to overwork the mixture.

Step 3

Form the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Step 4

Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, until they are golden brown but not fully cooked through.

Step 5

While the meatballs cook, heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Step 6

Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and garlic, cooking for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 7

Pour in the crushed tomatoes, water, and sugar. Stir in the dried oregano, dried basil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.

Step 8

Carefully transfer the baked meatballs into the simmering sauce. Spoon some sauce over the meatballs to coat them.

Step 9

Reduce the heat to low and let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 10

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

Step 11

Serve the meatballs and sauce hot over pasta, with crusty bread, or on their own. Garnish with additional fresh parsley or grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2091.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3010.8

Total Fat 198.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 68.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g
Cholesterol 922.7mg	0%
Sodium 7123.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 138.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.6g	0%
Total Sugars 55.1g
Protein 190.1g	0%

Vitamin D 108.8IU	0%
Calcium 1016.6mg	0%
Iron 24.4mg	0%
Potassium 4599.4mg	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: 57.7%

Protein: 24.5%

Carbs: 17.8%