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Savory Meatballs in Tomato Sauce Recipe Easy Homemade Comfort Meal

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A simple, hearty, and satisfying recipe for juicy meatballs simmered in a rich tomato sauce, served with spaghetti. Perfect for cozy dinners and quick weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend recommended for juiciness)
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs (plain or Italian seasoned)
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tbsp dried parsley)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (for frying)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (for sauce)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (for sauce)
  • 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 12 oz spaghetti (regular or whole wheat)
  • Salt (for pasta water)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and oregano. Mix gently until just combined.
  2. Roll the meat mixture into 1 ½-inch balls, about 16 meatballs. Place on a plate or tray.
  3. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown meatballs on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
  4. In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
  5. Add crushed tomatoes, sugar, dried basil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Bring to a simmer.
  6. Add browned meatballs to the sauce. Cover and simmer on low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  7. While sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  8. Serve spaghetti topped with meatballs and sauce. Garnish with extra Parmesan and fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Do not overmix the meatball mixture to avoid tough meatballs. Brown meatballs in batches to get a good sear and avoid steaming. Simmer sauce on low heat to meld flavors. Adjust seasoning before adding meatballs. Add a pinch of sugar if sauce is too acidic. Wet hands slightly when shaping meatballs to prevent sticking.

Nutrition

Keywords: meatballs, tomato sauce, spaghetti, comfort food, easy dinner, homemade, quick meal

Find it online: https://gleamgulp.com/savory-meatballs-in-tomato-sauce-recipe-easy-homemade-comfort-meal/