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Classic Italian Meatballs Recipe Easy Homemade Marinara Sauce Meal

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Tender, juicy meatballs simmered in a rich homemade marinara sauce, perfect for a comforting Italian meal that comes together in under an hour.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (preferably 80/20 for juiciness)
  • ½ lb ground pork (adds richness and tenderness)
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs (Italian-style or plain)
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated for best flavor)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped (or 1 tbsp dried parsley)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp dried oregano
  • ¼ cup whole milk
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes (San Marzano if possible)
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, beaten egg, chopped parsley, salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and whole milk. Mix gently with hands until just combined, about 5 minutes.
  2. Shape the mixture into 1 ½ inch balls, about the size of a golf ball, yielding roughly 18-20 meatballs. Place on a plate or baking tray.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown meatballs in batches, about 2-3 minutes per side, until golden but not fully cooked. Transfer to a plate.
  4. In a large saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Cook chopped onion until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  5. Add crushed tomatoes, sugar, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  6. Nestle browned meatballs into the simmering sauce. Cover and cook on low heat for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add water if sauce thickens too much.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired. Serve hot over spaghetti, creamy polenta, or crusty bread.

Notes

Do not overmix the meat to avoid tough meatballs. Browning the meatballs before simmering adds flavor and texture. For gluten-free, substitute breadcrumbs with almond flour. For dairy-free, replace milk with unsweetened almond milk and omit or substitute Parmesan cheese. Meatballs can be browned ahead and refrigerated for convenience.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian meatballs, homemade marinara, easy meatball recipe, classic Italian dinner, comfort food, meatballs in sauce

Find it online: https://merrymorsel.com/classic-italian-meatballs-recipe-easy-homemade-marinara-sauce-meal/