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Classic Homemade Meatballs Recipe Easy 5-Step Rich Marinara Sauce

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A comforting and easy recipe for classic homemade meatballs simmered in a rich marinara sauce made from scratch in five simple steps. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 1/2 pound ground pork
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (preferably panko)
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatball Mixture: Soak breadcrumbs in milk for 5 minutes. In a large bowl, combine soaked breadcrumbs, ground beef, ground pork, egg, garlic, parsley, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and oregano. Mix gently until moist but holds shape.
  2. Shape the Meatballs: Wet hands slightly and roll mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs. Place on a plate or baking sheet. Yield about 20-24 meatballs.
  3. Bake or Brown the Meatballs: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown meatballs in batches for 2-3 minutes per side until golden but not fully cooked. Alternatively, bake at 400°F for 15 minutes, turning halfway.
  4. Make the Marinara Sauce: Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook onion until translucent (~5 minutes). Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Add crushed tomatoes, dried basil, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer gently for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Simmer Meatballs in Sauce: Add browned meatballs to sauce. Cover and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes, turning occasionally. Adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.

Notes

Do not overmix the meat to keep meatballs tender. Brown meatballs before simmering to lock in flavor and texture. Soak breadcrumbs in milk to keep meatballs moist. If sauce is too acidic, add a pinch of sugar or a splash of cream. For gluten-free, substitute breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs. For dairy-free, omit Parmesan or use nutritional yeast.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://evabake.com/classic-homemade-meatballs-recipe-easy-5-step-rich-marinara-sauce/