Description
A classic Italian-style dish featuring tender homemade meatballs simmered in a rich tomato and garlic sauce. Perfect for cozy dinners or gatherings, this recipe delivers hearty, comforting flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
Meatballs:
1 pound lean ground beef
1 cup fresh bread crumbs
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
1 egg, beaten
Sauce:
¾ cup chopped onion
5 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup olive oil
2 cans whole peeled tomatoes (28 ounces each)
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 bay leaf
1 can tomato paste (6 ounces)
¾ teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together ground beef, bread crumbs, parsley, Parmesan, ¼ teaspoon pepper, garlic powder, and beaten egg. Shape into 12 meatballs and refrigerate until ready.
- In a large saucepan, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil over medium heat until translucent.
- Add whole peeled tomatoes, salt, sugar, and bay leaf. Simmer covered on low heat for 90 minutes.
- Stir in tomato paste, basil, and ½ teaspoon pepper. Add meatballs to sauce, ensuring they’re mostly submerged. Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes until meatballs are cooked through.
- Serve hot over spaghetti, polenta, or with crusty bread.
Notes
- Substitute half the beef with pork or Italian sausage for added flavor.
- Bake or brown the meatballs before simmering for a lighter version.
- Add red pepper flakes or Italian seasoning for more flavor.
- Finish with fresh basil or red wine for depth.
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs for a gluten-free version.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 890 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 21 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
