Description
Irresistibly tender meatballs filled with gooey mozzarella and coated in vibrant marinara sauce, perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.1 lb ground beef (or half beef and half pork)
- 2/3 cup fresh breadcrumbs (or gluten-free breadcrumbs)
- 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons milk (dairy or plant-based)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (for sauce)
- 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano (for sauce)
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
- Extra grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
- Cooked spaghetti or gluten-free pasta (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, mozzarella, Parmesan, eggs, minced garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, pepper, and milk. Mix gently until just combined.
- Roll the mixture into 16-18 golf ball-sized meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes until lightly browned and cooked through.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté onion for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, dried basil, oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- Gently transfer the baked meatballs into the marinara sauce and let them simmer covered for an additional 10 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves and extra Parmesan cheese before serving over pasta if desired.
Notes
Make-ahead tips: Prep meatballs a day in advance and refrigerate. Cooking alternatives include air frying for crispy meatballs or simmering in sauce for a one-pot meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 meatballs with sauce
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 130mg