Simple Saucy Meatballs

Get ready to elevate your comfort food game with these Simple Saucy Meatballs! This delicious recipe features a perfectly balanced blend of ground beef and pork, seasoned with Parmesan cheese, garlic, and Italian herbs for a flavor-packed bite. The meatballs are gently browned before being simmered to perfection in a rich, aromatic tomato sauce made with crushed tomatoes, onion, garlic, and a hint of sweetness from sugar. Quick to prepare in just under an hour, these tender, juicy meatballs are ideal for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. Serve them over pasta, rice, or pair with crusty bread for a meal that’s as versatile as it is satisfying. Whether you're cooking for the family or meal-prepping for the week, this recipe promises a hearty, saucy dish that everyone will love.

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 0.5 lb ground pork
• 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
• 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp milk
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 tsp sugar
• 6 fresh basil leaves

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, egg, milk, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Mix until just combined—do not overmix.

Step 2

Using your hands, form the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs and place them on a plate or baking sheet. This should yield about 16-18 meatballs.

Step 3

Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan.

Step 4

Cook the meatballs for 2-3 minutes per side until browned. They don’t need to be cooked through at this point. Remove them from the skillet and set aside.

Step 5

In the same skillet, add chopped onion and cook over medium heat until softened, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 6

Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 7

Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir in the tomato paste, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), and sugar. Stir well to combine.

Step 8

Simmer the sauce over low heat for 5 minutes, then gently nestle the meatballs into the sauce. Cover the skillet and let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for 20-25 minutes, occasionally stirring to prevent sticking.

Step 9

Once the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce has thickened, taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

Step 10

Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve hot over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2061.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2731.2

Total Fat 175.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 60.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.4g
Cholesterol 723.8mg	0%
Sodium 5117.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 126.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 29.2g	0%
Total Sugars 51.3g
Protein 180.5g	0%

Vitamin D 61.0IU	0%
Calcium 1068.9mg	0%
Iron 31.4mg	0%
Potassium 5371.8mg	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: 56.3%

Protein: 25.7%

Carbs: 18.0%