Meatball and Marinara from Cook's Country Tv

Savor the comforting flavors of homemade Italian-American classics with this "Meatball and Marinara from Cook's Country TV" recipe. Perfectly tender meatballs are crafted from a rich blend of ground beef, ground pork, Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and garlic, then browned to golden perfection for an irresistible crust. Simmered gently in a robust marinara sauce made with crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and aromatic herbs like oregano and basil, every bite bursts with incredible flavor. This recipe is quick to prepare, with just 20 minutes of prep time, and yields a hearty dinner for four. Serve these juicy meatballs over al dente pasta, creamy polenta, or tucked into crusty bread for a meatball sub, and don't forget the sprinkle of Parmesan and parsley for a restaurant-quality finish. Ideal for weeknight family meals or a cozy dinner party, this dish is a comforting classic you'll make time and time again!

Nutriscore Rating: 58/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground beef (80% lean)
• 0.5 pound Ground pork
• 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs
• 0.25 cup Whole milk
• 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 large Egg
• 4 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1.25 teaspoons Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper, freshly ground
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 can Crushed tomatoes (28-oz can)
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 0.5 cup Water
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Sugar
• 1 leaf Bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons Basil leaves, chopped

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, milk, Parmesan cheese, parsley, egg, half of the minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of salt, and black pepper. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overwork the mixture.

Step 2

Using wet hands, form the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs (about 2 tablespoons each) and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Step 3

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, brown the meatballs on all sides, about 5-7 minutes total. Transfer browned meatballs to a plate and set aside.

Step 4

In the same skillet, add the remaining garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, water, oregano, sugar, bay leaf, and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt.

Step 5

Bring the marinara sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Add the browned meatballs to the sauce, ensuring they are submerged.

Step 6

Cover the skillet and let the meatballs simmer gently in the marinara for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 7

Remove the bay leaf and stir in the chopped basil. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if necessary.

Step 8

Serve the meatballs and marinara over pasta, polenta, or as a hearty sandwich filling. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1118.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2578.6

Total Fat 186.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 65.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.7g
Cholesterol 764.1mg	0%
Sodium 4775.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 62.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 5.0g	0%
Total Sugars 16.1g
Protein 161.7g	0%

Vitamin D 108.7IU	0%
Calcium 577.9mg	0%
Iron 17.1mg	0%
Potassium 1800.6mg	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: 65.2%

Protein: 25.1%

Carbs: 9.7%