Description
These cheesy baked meatballs are smothered in a rich tomato sauce and topped with melted mozzarella, making them a comforting family favorite that’s perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
- 1/2 lb ground pork
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- For the Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cans (28 oz each) crushed tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For the Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and parsley. Mix gently until just combined.
- Form the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake meatballs for 15-20 minutes, until browned and cooked through.
- While meatballs bake, prepare the sauce: heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, sugar, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
- Add the baked meatballs to the sauce, nestling them in.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the meatballs.
- Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 15 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh basil if desired and serve hot.
Notes
For a lighter version, use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef and pork. You can also prepare the sauce up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate.
Nutrition
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 14 g
- Fat: 32 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Protein: 32 g