🍝 Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
Meatballs in tomato sauce is a classic comfort food featuring juicy meatballs simmered in a rich, flavorful tomato sauce. It’s perfect over pasta, rice, or served with crusty bread.
🧾 Ingredients
For the meatballs:
- 500 g Ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
- ½ cup Breadcrumbs
- 1 Egg
- 2 tbsp Milk
- 1 tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Black pepper
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
For the tomato sauce:
- 2 cups Tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Oregano
- 1 tsp Basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1–2 tbsp Olive oil
👨🍳 Instructions
- Prepare meatballs
- In a bowl, mix ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, and seasonings.
- Form into small, even-sized meatballs.
- Brown meatballs
- Heat olive oil in a skillet. Brown meatballs on all sides (they don’t need to be fully cooked yet). Remove and set aside.
- Make tomato sauce
- In the same skillet, sauté onion and garlic until soft.
- Add tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer 5–10 minutes.
- Simmer meatballs in sauce
- Return meatballs to the sauce. Cover and simmer 15–20 minutes until meatballs are fully cooked and sauce thickens.
- Serve
- Serve hot over Pasta, rice, or with Crusty bread.
🌟 Tips
- Juicy meatballs: Don’t overmix the meat when forming.
- Flavor boost: Add a splash of red wine to the tomato sauce.
- Make-ahead: Meatballs can be browned ahead and stored in sauce for easy reheating.
🍽️ Serving Ideas
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.
- Pair with a side of Garlic bread.
- Serve with Steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.
✅ Fun fact: Simmering meatballs in tomato sauce allows them to absorb flavor and stay tender, making this dish a staple in Italian and Italian-American cuisine.
I can also provide:
- Baked meatballs in tomato sauce for less oil usage
- A slow-cooker version for tender meatballs
- A spicy arrabbiata tomato sauce variation
