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Comforting Homestyle Meatballs Recipe Easy Perfect Marinara Sauce Meal

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A cozy and flavorful meatball recipe featuring tender, juicy meatballs simmered in a rich marinara sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80/20 blend recommended for juiciness)
  • 1/2 cup (50 g) fresh breadcrumbs (or panko for lighter texture)
  • 1/3 cup (80 ml) whole milk (helps keep meatballs tender)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese (adds savory depth)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (fresh is best)
  • 1/4 cup (10 g) fresh parsley, finely chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano (optional)
  • Olive oil for frying
  • 2 tbsp olive oil (for sauce)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28 oz / 800 g) can crushed tomatoes (preferably San Marzano)
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 tsp dried basil or handful fresh basil leaves
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, fresh breadcrumbs, whole milk, egg, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, black pepper, and dried oregano. Mix gently with hands until just combined, about 20-30 seconds. Avoid overmixing.
  2. Using wet hands, roll the mixture into 1 1/2-inch (4 cm) meatballs, about 16-18 total, keeping them uniform in size.
  3. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs in batches, avoiding overcrowding. Cook 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown but not fully cooked through. Remove and set aside on paper towels.
  4. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
  5. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  6. Add crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Stir in sugar, red pepper flakes (if using), and basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  7. Carefully add browned meatballs to the sauce. Partially cover with a lid and simmer on low heat for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally and spooning sauce over meatballs to keep moist. Sauce should thicken and deepen in flavor.
  8. Taste sauce and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot with pasta, crusty bread, or creamy polenta.

Notes

Soak breadcrumbs in milk to keep meatballs tender. Avoid overmixing the meat mixture. Brown meatballs first for a crust and depth of flavor. Simmer sauce gently to meld flavors without toughening meat. If sauce thickens too much, add water or broth; if too thin, simmer uncovered for last 10 minutes. Baking meatballs at 400°F for 20 minutes is a good alternative to frying.

Nutrition

Keywords: meatballs, marinara sauce, homestyle meatballs, easy dinner, comfort food, ground beef, Italian recipe

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