Baked Italian Meatballs Tomato (Printer-Friendly)
Oven-baked Italian meatballs in homemade tomato sauce with herbs, parmesan, and aromatic spices.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Meatball Mixture
01 -
1 pound ground beef (80% lean)
02 -
1/2 pound ground pork
03 -
1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
04 -
1/2 cup whole milk
05 -
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
06 -
1 large egg
07 -
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley or basil
08 -
1 small yellow onion, finely diced
09 -
3 cloves garlic, minced
10 -
1 teaspoon salt
11 -
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Marinara Sauce
12 -
2 tablespoons olive oil
13 -
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
14 -
4 cloves garlic, minced
15 -
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
16 -
2 tablespoons tomato paste
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1 teaspoon dried oregano
18 -
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
19 -
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
20 -
1 teaspoon kosher salt
21 -
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
22 -
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
# Steps to Make This:
01 -
Preheat oven to 410°F (210°C) and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 -
In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, milk, Parmesan, egg, parsley or basil, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper. Gently mix by hand until just combined.
03 -
With oiled hands, shape the mixture into meatballs about 1 1/2 inches in diameter; arrange them evenly on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each.
04 -
Bake meatballs for 12 minutes, or until just cooked through. For a browned finish, broil on high for 2 additional minutes after baking.
05 -
Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until soft, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper, and sugar. Simmer sauce on low for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
06 -
Gently transfer baked meatballs to the marinara sauce with any juices from the baking sheet. Simmer together for 2-3 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
07 -
Serve meatballs hot, spooned with sauce. Pair with pasta, bread, or sides as desired.
# Additional Notes:
01 -
Lightly oiling your hands prevents the mixture from sticking while ensuring each meatball retains moisture.
02 -
Do not overmix the meat; just combine until incorporated for the most tender result.