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Meatballs with Tomato Sauce

A comforting recipe for homemade meatballs bursting with flavor and served in a rich tomato sauce, perfect for family gatherings and cozy dinners.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 500
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs
  • 1 pound Ground meat (beef, pork, or a blend) Choose your preferred type of meat.
  • 1 cup Breadcrumbs Can substitute with panko for an airy texture.
  • 1 large Egg Acts as a binding agent; use flaxseed meal for a vegan option.
  • 3 cloves Minced garlic Fresh garlic is ideal; dried garlic powder can be used as a substitute.
  • ¼ cup Grated Parmesan cheese Nutritional yeast works for a vegan version.
  • 1 tablespoon Chopped fresh parsley Enhances flavor.
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Pepper
For the Tomato Sauce
  • 1 can Diced tomatoes (28 ounces) Forms the base of your sauce.
  • 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon Dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
  • to taste Salt and pepper Adjust according to preference.
For Garnish
  • to taste Fresh basil For garnishing before serving.
  • to taste Parmesan cheese Sprinkle on top before serving.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until combined.
  2. Shape the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter, and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Cooking
  1. In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Sauté the meatballs until browned on all sides, approximately 5-7 minutes.
  2. In the same pan, add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, dried basil, dried oregano, and adjust with salt and pepper to taste. Stir to combine and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
  3. Gently place the browned meatballs into the tomato sauce. Cover and let simmer for another 15-20 minutes.
Serving
  1. Garnish with fresh basil and Parmesan before serving. Enjoy with pasta, crusty bread, or a crisp salad.

Notes

To cook meatballs with tomato sauce perfectly, avoid overmixing, brown meatballs in batches, and ensure the internal temperature reaches 160°F for ground beef. Common mistakes to avoid include skipping the browning step and forgetting to let meatballs simmer in the sauce.