O T's Chunky Red Sauce and Meatballs

Hearty, flavorful, and endlessly satisfying, O T's Chunky Red Sauce and Meatballs is the ultimate comfort food that brings a homemade touch to your dinner table. Featuring a delectable blend of ground beef and pork, these tender meatballs are packed with Parmesan, fresh parsley, and a hint of garlic for an irresistible savory bite. The chunky tomato sauce, simmered with aromatic onions, oregano, and a touch of red pepper flakes, is rich, robust, and perfectly spiced. Nestled together as they cook, the meatballs and sauce combine to create a dish brimming with bold, authentic flavor. Ready in just over an hour, this recipe is perfect served over pasta, zucchini noodles, or alongside crusty bread for soaking up every last drop of sauce. Whether for a cozy family dinner or your next gathering, this recipe is sure to delight both young and old.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:25 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 0.5 lb ground pork
• 1 egg
• 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
• 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp milk
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1.5 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 28 oz canned diced tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp sugar
• 0.5 cup water
• 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves, chopped

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, milk, parsley, half of the minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat.

Step 2

Roll the mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs and place them on a plate or baking sheet. You should have approximately 12-14 meatballs.

Step 3

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry the meatballs in batches, turning frequently, until browned on all sides but not cooked through (about 5 minutes per batch). Remove the meatballs and set aside.

Step 4

In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and remaining minced garlic. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.

Step 5

Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to deepen the flavor. Add the canned diced tomatoes, water, oregano, red pepper flakes, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a simmer and stir well.

Step 6

Return the meatballs to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Cover and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce has thickened.

Step 7

Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper as needed. Stir in the fresh basil just before serving.

Step 8

Serve the chunky red sauce and meatballs over cooked pasta, zucchini noodles, or with crusty bread for dipping.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1957.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2777.2

Total Fat 196.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 66.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 11.2g
Cholesterol 759.8mg	0%
Sodium 6343.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 95.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.9g	0%
Total Sugars 41.5g
Protein 167.6g	0%

Vitamin D 61.0IU	0%
Calcium 742.3mg	0%
Iron 19.8mg	0%
Potassium 3383.9mg	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: 62.7%

Protein: 23.8%

Carbs: 13.6%