The Best Marinara Sauce Meatballs

Get ready to elevate your dinner game with "The Best Marinara Sauce Meatballs," a rich and hearty dish that's comfort food at its finest! These tender, flavor-packed meatballs are made with a perfectly balanced blend of ground beef and pork, enriched with Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, fresh parsley, and a hint of garlic for a homemade taste that truly shines. Simmered in a fragrant, made-from-scratch marinara sauce infused with crushed tomatoes, aromatic herbs, and a touch of sweetness, these meatballs are irresistibly juicy and bursting with Italian-inspired flavor. Perfect served over al dente spaghetti, alongside crusty bread, or even as an appetizer for your next gathering, this recipe will quickly become a family favorite. With just 20 minutes of prep time and simple ingredients, you'll have an impressive, restaurant-quality dish right at home!

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

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

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, milk, Parmesan cheese, egg, 2 minced garlic cloves, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined; avoid overmixing.

Step 2

Roll the mixture into evenly sized meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter. You should have approximately 20-24 meatballs.

Step 3

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches (do not overcrowd the pan) and sear them on all sides until browned, about 5-6 minutes total. Remove the meatballs and set them aside.

Step 4

In the same skillet, add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until softened and translucent. Add the remaining minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 5

Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, allowing it to deepen in color. Then add the crushed tomatoes, water, sugar, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir to combine.

Step 6

Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Add the meatballs back into the skillet, nestling them into the sauce.

Step 7

Cover the skillet and let the meatballs simmer over low heat for 25-30 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F). Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 8

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

Step 9

Serve the meatballs and marinara sauce over spaghetti, with crusty bread, or as a stand-alone dish. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2396.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3666.3

Total Fat 233.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 84.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.7g
Cholesterol 959.7mg	0%
Sodium 6527.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 164.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 23.2g	0%
Total Sugars 60.4g
Protein 241.9g	0%

Vitamin D 107.4IU	0%
Calcium 1253.9mg	0%
Iron 29.6mg	0%
Potassium 5103.5mg	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: 56.4%

Protein: 26.0%

Carbs: 17.7%