Meatballs are a staple in my house and I love to make a large batch and keep some in the freezer so I can pull some out for pasta, sandwiches or to serve with my favorite cheesy polenta. To ensure I always have some on hand I usually make a double batch. It is by far the best Italian meatball recipe I have ever made and the tomato sauce goes perfectly with it. Making them both at the same time saves me time down the road. I freeze some of the meatballs and sauce separately so I can use them for different meals later on.
What Ingredients Do I Need To Make These Meatballs?
This recipe is made in two stages, first I start cooking the sauce and while that’s simmering I prepare the meatballs. However, you could also make each separately if you choose.
For the sauce, you will need;
- Canned tomatoes – Whole. For the best flavor, I recommend using San Marzano tomatoes if you can get them.
- Onion – A medium yellow onion, finely chopped.
- Garlic
- Extra virgin olive oil
For the meatballs, you will need:
- Ground pork
- Ground beef
- Ground veal
- Onion – A medium yellow onion, finely chopped.
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Garlic
- Bread – Preferably day-old
- Milk – 2% or homogenized will work equally well.
- Eggs
- Parmigiano Reggiano – Grated.
- Italian parsley – Italian parsley is the flat leaf variety and is best used here.
- Oregano
- Lemon zest – From an unwaxed lemon.
Recipe Tips and Tricks For Success
- Make sure to use medium-fat ground beef. You do not want to use lean beef here. This will help ensure the meatballs stay moist.
- Also do not overmix the meatball mixture. This will cause them to be tough.
FFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS; Can I bake these meatballs? Yes, however I still recommend finishing them off in the sauce if you are going to be serving them with the sauce. Bake at 350F for about 15-20 minutes on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Turn once or twice to ensure browning evenly. Can I make them in an air fryer? Yes you can. An air fryer is a great option. You will need to ensure you don't over crowd the airfyer and cook in batches at 350F for about 10 min shaking the pan once or twice.
What Do I Serve Them With?
This meatball and tomato sauce recipe makes the perfect spaghetti and meatballs. Of course, you could also swap out the spaghetti for your favorite pasta. My favorite way to serve it is with my creamy Cheesy Polenta recipe that you can find here. Of course, the meatballs also make a great meatball sandwich served in a hoagy-type bun and topped with a little sauce and Parmigiano Reggiano.
Best Italian Meatball & Tomato Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
Tomato Sauce
- 3 – 794g (28oz) cans whole tomatoes with juice (preferably San Marzano)
- 15 g (1tbsp) medium onion (finely chopped)
- 59 ml (1/4 cup) extra-virgin olive oil
- 45 g (3 tbsp) medium garlic cloves (finely chopped)
- 30 g (2 tbsp) salt
- 7.5 g (1/2 tsp) pepper
Meatballs
- 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
- 17 g (1/8 cup) extra-virgin olive oil
- 5 medium garlic cloves (finely chopped)
- 120 g (1 1/2 cups packed) bread (torn into small pieces) (preferably day old)
- 236 ml (1 cup) milk
- 3 large eggs
- 120 g (1 cup) grated Parmigiano Reggiano (packed)
- 15 g (1/8 cup) Italian parsley (finely chopped)
- 15 g (1/8 cup) oregano (finely chopped) (or 2 g (1/2 tsp) dried)
- 7 g (1/2 tbsp) grated lemon zest
- 340 g (3/4 lb) ground pork
- 340 g (3/4 lb) medium ground beef (not lean)
- 340 g (3/4 lb) ground veal
- 8 g (2 tsp) salt
- 3 g (3/4 tsp) pepper
- 118 ml (1/2 cup) extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
Sauce;
- Pour tomatoes and juice into a large bowl. Using your hands crush the tomatoes until the pieces are quite small.
- Cook onions in the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat until just softened (making sure not to brown them).
- Add garlic and cook until softened (do not allow to brown).
- Stir in tomatoes and juice. Add salt and pepper.
- Simmer sauce uncovered, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened (about 40-45 minutes. Season with extra salt if needed.
Meatballs;
- While sauce simmers, cook onions in olive oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally until onions are softened.
- Add garlic and cook until softened, stirring occasionally (do not allow to brown). Transfer mixture to a bowl and allow to cool.
- Soak torn bread in a bowl with the milk for about 5 minutes. Firmly squeeze bread to release extra milk and discard the milk.
- In a large bowl mix the meats together with your hands until well incorporated.
- Add the cooled onion mixture, bread, eggs, parmesan, oregano, parsley, lemon zest, salt and pepper and using your hand mix gently until well combined but not overmixed.
- With water-dampened hands, form mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls (will make about 35)
- Heat olive oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Brown meatballs in 3 or 4 batches making sure not to overcrowd them. Turn meatballs occasionally to brown on all sides. Meatballs do not need to be cooked through as they will continue cooking in the sauce.
- Add meatballs to the sauce and simmer gently, covered, stirring occasionally for about 20-30 minutes.
Notes
Leave A Comment & Rate This Recipe
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And if you’re looking for more easy Italian recipes check out my recipes for Pasta Fagioli and Creamy Spinach And Pecorino Risotto.
I haven’t had spaghetti and meatballs in a very long time. I’ll have to give these a try.
Absolutely loved your meatball recipe! Super easy to follow, even for a non-cook like me. The tomato sauce was a game-changer. Didn’t make it myself, but can’t wait to try someday. Cheers!
I love a good Italian meatball. This dish would be perfect to have today. Yum!
I’ve never tried making Italian meatballs. I have made Greek ones so I’m guessing they’ll be similar. They are popular with my family so I need to try these and see what they all think. Might be a new family favourite.
Planning to surprise the family with this delectable dish soon, and I’m sure it’ll be a hit!
I just pinned your recipe to make soon as I want to try a new recipe. I make a good Italian meatball but I like that you use multiple meats and cannot wait to make this recipe this Sunday! Looks delicious!
Your Italian meatball recipe sounds absolutely mouthwatering! I love the idea of making a big batch and freezing some for later—it’s like having a delicious homemade convenience food ready to go. Pairing it with cheesy polenta sounds divine! Can’t wait to give this recipe a try!
I love meatballs! I replace the bread or breadcrumbs with cauliflower so less-carb! 😀 This is yummy!
Oh wow, this looks hearty. Meatballs are all over the internet right now. Comfort food at its finest.
I am always game for a new meatball recipe ideas. I would eat these up for dinner any time of the year.
There is not much better than homemade meatballs and tomato sauce for dinner! The recipe sounds great and I like that you use three types of meat.
You can never go wrong with meatballs! These look yummy! I might as well try it with your cheesy polenta! 😀 🙂
This recipe looks so delicious! This will be on my list of things to try in the future.
Yum! This reminds me I need to make meatballs again. They are one of my husbands favorite meals and make great leftovers
Meatballs are huge in our house. I haven’t made them in awhile and it’s a long weekend. Maybe I’ll surprise the fam.
since we are vegetarians, will have to skip the recipe but it looks so beautiful and perfectly made. will share it with friends who will be sure to enjoy it
The meatballs look amazing! I can’t wait to try them this coming weekend!
I don’t make meatballs a ton because they are time consuming to make. But these look so good, I’ll have to give them a try.
Homemade meatballs are always the best! It reminds me of my grandmother!
Your Italian meatballs recipe is fantastic! The step-by-step instructions make it easy to follow, and the tomato sauce is incredibly flavorful. I can’t wait to try it again. Thanks for sharing this delicious dish!
This looks like a really great recipe that I need to try! It look so good thanks for sharing this with us
ohhh the cheese! it makes the whole dish looks so appetizing!
Oh my gosh, these meatballs look incredible! I know I’d love these.