Description
This Homemade Meatballs and Sauce recipe is a hearty, comforting classic that’s perfect for any occasion. With tender, flavorful meatballs simmered in a rich, aromatic tomato sauce, this dish is guaranteed to satisfy. The homemade sauce, made from whole peeled tomatoes and a blend of herbs, is the perfect accompaniment to the savory meatballs. Serve it over your favorite pasta for a delicious, family-friendly meal.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
2 tbsp finely diced onion
1 egg
2 tbsp breadcrumbs (use almond flour for gluten-free)
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
½ cup diced onion
1 tsp butter
1 tsp olive oil
1 (28 oz) can of whole, peeled tomatoes (plus 2–3 cans of water)
2 (6 oz) cans tomato paste
¾ tsp rosemary
¾ tsp thyme
¾ tsp marjoram
¾ tsp oregano
¾ tsp basil
Instructions
- Start by finely chopping the onion. Then, chop the canned tomatoes into very small pieces.
- In a large saucepan, add the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Once warmed, add the chopped onions and cook until golden brown, about 5-6 minutes.
- Add the finely chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, and two cans of water to the saucepan. Stir well to combine.
- Add the rosemary, thyme, marjoram, oregano, and basil to the sauce. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.
- While the sauce is coming to a boil, combine the meatball ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Add the ground beef, finely diced onion, egg, breadcrumbs (or almond flour for gluten-free), salt, and pepper. Use your hands to mix everything well until fully combined.
- Roll the meatball mixture into balls about the size of a golf ball.
- Once the sauce has come to a boil, lower the heat and carefully drop the meatballs into the sauce.
- Let the sauce and meatballs simmer on low heat for about 5-6 hours, stirring occasionally. Add more water to the sauce if needed, and keep it at a gentle simmer.
- Once the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce has thickened, serve the meatballs and sauce warm over pasta. Enjoy!
Notes
- Gluten-Free Option: Use almond flour instead of breadcrumbs in the meatball mixture for a gluten-free version.
- Vegetarian Option: Replace the ground beef with a plant-based meat substitute or lentils for a vegetarian version.
- Spicy Version: Add red pepper flakes or extra chipotle peppers to the sauce for a bit of heat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5-6 hours (simmering time)
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 500 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
