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Savory Classic Meatballs Recipe Easy Homemade with Rich Tomato Sauce

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These savory classic meatballs with rich tomato sauce are a quick, easy, and comforting meal perfect for busy weeknights. Made with simple pantry staples and fresh herbs, they deliver juicy meatballs simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 1/2 cup (50g) breadcrumbs, plain or Italian-style
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cups (500ml) tomato sauce (canned crushed tomatoes or passata)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or mix of dried oregano, basil, and thyme)
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, chopped onion, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined, about 5 minutes. Avoid overmixing.
  2. Shape the mixture into 1 1/2-inch (4 cm) meatballs, about 16-18 total. Keep them uniform in size. This takes about 10 minutes.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs in batches, about 2-3 minutes per side, until golden but not cooked through. Transfer to a plate. Total browning time is about 10-12 minutes.
  4. In the same skillet, add tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir and scrape browned bits from the pan. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  5. Nestle the browned meatballs into the sauce. Cover and simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes, turning meatballs halfway through, until cooked through and sauce thickens slightly.
  6. Taste and adjust salt or herbs if needed. Garnish with extra parsley or Parmesan before serving.

Notes

Do not overmix the meat mixture to keep meatballs tender. Brown meatballs before simmering to add flavor and texture. Simmer gently on low heat to prevent meatballs from falling apart. If sauce is too acidic, add a pinch of sugar or a splash of cream to mellow it out.

Nutrition

Keywords: meatballs, classic meatballs, homemade meatballs, tomato sauce, easy dinner, family meal, comfort food

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