Description
Discover how to make incredibly tender meatballs with a rich homemade tomato sauce, perfect for any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend)
- 1 cup unseasoned breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 cups tomato sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for searing
Instructions
- Combine the breadcrumbs and milk in a bowl. Let sit for about 10 minutes to absorb moisture.
- Mix ground beef, soaked breadcrumbs, egg, parmesan, garlic, onion, and parsley in a large bowl.
- Season with salt and pepper, then mix gently until combined; do not overwork.
- Shape the mixture into uniform meatballs, approximately 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add meatballs in batches, searing until browned on all sides.
- Remove meatballs and set aside. In the same skillet, add tomato sauce and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Return the meatballs to the skillet, cover, and cook for about 20 minutes.
Notes
For optimal tenderness, avoid overmixing the meat mixture. You can customize the meatballs with different herbs or substitute ground beef with ground turkey for a leaner option.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: meatballs, tomato sauce, comfort food, Italian recipe, pasta, dinner