Description
A classic Italian-style recipe featuring tender homemade meatballs simmered in a rich tomato sauce, perfect for a comforting family meal. This recipe uses a browned ground beef mixture seasoned with herbs and Parmesan, slowly cooked in a flavorful sauce to deliver authentic Italian flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey for a lighter option)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Tomato Sauce
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Make the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, parsley, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined to avoid tough meatballs. Form the mixture into 1 to 1.5-inch meatballs and arrange them on a baking sheet ready for cooking.
- Cook the Meatballs: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a small amount of olive oil. In batches, cook the meatballs for 5-6 minutes, turning them occasionally to achieve even browning on all sides. Once browned, remove the meatballs from the skillet and set them aside.
- Prepare the Tomato Sauce: In the same skillet, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and heat over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until they soften and become fragrant. Stir in the crushed tomatoes along with oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Simmer the Meatballs: Return the browned meatballs to the skillet with the simmering tomato sauce. Spoon some sauce over each meatball, cover the skillet, and let everything simmer gently for 20-25 minutes. This process cooks the meatballs through and enriches the sauce with their flavors.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from the heat. Garnish the meatballs with freshly chopped basil and serve them hot alongside your choice of pasta, rice, or crusty bread for a hearty Italian meal.
Notes
- Using ground turkey instead of beef can make this dish lighter without sacrificing flavor.
- For added moisture in the meatballs, consider soaking breadcrumbs in a little milk before mixing.
- Make sure not to overmix the meatball mixture to keep the meatballs tender.
- If you prefer a spicier sauce, increase the amount of red pepper flakes.
- Leftover meatballs and sauce can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
