Here’s a classic, hearty recipe for meatballs in tomato sauce—perfect for pasta, sandwiches, or just on their own.
Ingredients
For the meatballs:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1-2 tbsp olive oil (for frying, if pan-cooking)
For the tomato sauce:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 oz / 800 g) crushed tomatoes or tomato puree
- 1 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- 1 tsp dried oregano or Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Make the meatballs:
- In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Mix gently until just combined.
- Shape into 1- to 1½-inch meatballs.
- Cook the meatballs (optional step for extra flavor):
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Brown the meatballs on all sides (they don’t need to cook through, just get a nice crust).
- Remove and set aside.
- Prepare the tomato sauce:
- In a large saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Sauté onion until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, sugar, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a simmer.
- Combine meatballs and sauce:
- Add meatballs to the sauce and simmer gently for 20–30 minutes, until meatballs are cooked through and the sauce thickens.
- Serve:
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley.
- Serve over pasta, rice, or in a sandwich.
💡 Tips:
- For juicier meatballs, soak breadcrumbs in milk for a few minutes before mixing.
- You can bake meatballs at 400°F (200°C) for 15–20 minutes instead of frying.
- Add a splash of red wine or balsamic vinegar to the sauce for extra depth.
If you like, I can also give a one-pot version where the meatballs cook entirely in the tomato sauce—less cleanup, same flavor. Do you want that version too?
