Homemade Meatballs Recipe with Tomato Sauce

Name: Homemade Meatballs Recipe with Tomato Sauce
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 12 meatballs
Ingredients: 3/4 cup bread crumbs; 1/4 cup milk; 1.5 lb lean ground beef; 3/4 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1/2 tsp chili flakes; 1/2 tsp dried oregano; 3 cloves garlic (-minced); 1 tsp onion powder; 3 tbsp fresh parsley (-roughly chopped); 1/2 cup parmesan (-grated on small hole on box grater); 1-2 tbsp olive oil; 1 can whole san marzano tomatoes (-28 oz or 828 ml can); 2 tbsp tomato paste; 1 tsp sugar; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; small rind of parmesan cheese (-about 2-3 inch, optional); 1/2 tbsp balsamic vinegar; parmesan cheese (-to taste); fresh basil (-to taste)

January 15, 2018 Updated: March 5, 2019 By Dawn Coombs 54 Comments

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This easy Homemade Meatballs Recipe with tomato sauce is bursting to the seams with savoury flavour! The meatballs are gently sautéed in a cast iron skillet to get a little colour. Then, they’re finished in the oven with a super easy red sauce – delicious on their own, in pasta or even on a sandwich!

Hi there! How was your weekend? We had abnormally warm temperatures. It rained and we lost all our snow. For one a moment, I was thinking we were into spring. A girl can dream! Have you started any new shows lately? Do tell! You know I always love suggestions. We’re in the middle of watching The Punisher on Netflix. It’s based on a Marvel comic and I have been a fan of similar shows. It’s been out for a little while but, boy, am I glad we started it. There’s tons of action! Have you seen this one? Anywho, onto this straight up comforting homemade meatballs recipe, shall we?

How to Make Homemade Meatballs

These meatballs from mince are made with simple items that you probably have on hand in your fridge and pantry. Garlic, onion powder, chili flakes and oregano give a good punch of flavour and the breadcrumbs soaked in milk lend some moisture.

To make meatballs from scratch –

Mix breadcrumbs with milk and lay to one side (this is a binder and adds moisture).
In a large bowl combine mince, seasoning, parsley, parmesan and bread/milk mixture.
Use a small scoop to portion, then roll into balls with your hands. Don’t overwork!
Place in a skillet to brown for a few minutes and get a nice little colour.
Stir in tomato sauce and bake.
Garnish and enjoy!

Tips for Making the BEST Homemade Meatballs Recipe

The key to making meatballs is don’t handle them too much. I mean, form them but don’t overly handle them.
Don’t skimp on the fresh parsley! This adds brightness to the dish.
Leftovers should be removed from the cast iron pan and stored in food storage tub or container. Enjoy within 3 days.
Size matters. These are not your average meatballs! I made ’em a little bit on the larger size (a small scoop, which is a little more generous than a tablespoon) because they do shrink down a little when cooked. What you are left with is one delicious meatball and I’m pretty confident that you’re going to make again and again! With all the game day festivities coming up, they’re bound to make it to your table more than once. Though, admittedly, I do not watch the sports. I will, however, happily sit with you (or more likely alongside the food) and munch away 😉

Can I Prepare Meatballs the Day Before?

Yes! You sure can! Mix up the meatballs, store in fridge and then brown and oven bake the next day.

Can I Freeze Cooked Meatballs?

Yes, you can. Of course, like with most things these are best made and enjoyed fresh, but freezing totally works. Let meatballs cool completely. You can either –

Place cooled meatballs on a sheet pan to freeze and then vacuum seal. Store in freezer (the pre-freezing helps prevent the meatballs from getting squished when sealing) OR
Store cooled meatballs in freezer safe containers or bags.

Enjoy within a couple months. I like to reheat in a little sauce (like when they were originally made).

Easy Tomato Sauce Recipe – a Little Secret

Like these scratch made meatballs, this is an easy tomato sauce. Want to know a secret tip for a whole lotta flavour? Add parmesan rind in the tomato sauce as it cooks. Don’t throw that stuff away!!! It seriously infuses flavour into the sauce and once you do it, there’s no going back. Plus, you’re getting more bang for your buck when you buy that parmesan. What’s not to love?

Of course, no meatball would be complete without some parm on top. Garnish these beauties with a generous amount and eat up!

Do I Have to Cook Meatballs in Sauce? Can I Make Oven Baked Meatballs?

No, of course you don’t have to cook meatballs in sauce. I prefer to, though. Why? Because as these meatballs gently finish cooking in the sauce they infuse flavour into the sauce and vice versa. Plus, you have sauce to serve with the meatballs or to stir into pasta and the like.

If you would rather oven bake the meatballs, that’s a-ok too. Keep in mind, though, they won’t quite have the same colour as browning and finishing in the tomato sauce. To oven bake meatballs, place on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake at 400 F for about 30 minutes until meatballs reach 160 F or no longer pink and cooked through.

How to Use Meatballs? What to Serve with Homemade Meatballs?

Enjoy as is
Serve with garlic bread and mop up that delicious sauce
Pasta is never a bad idea
How about a meatball sandwich?
Don’t forget to garnish with parmesan cheese
Basil with this Italian meatball recipe is always a winner!

Look how packed with flavour they are! Plus, they are juicy and just plain delish! What’s your favourite way to enjoy meatballs?

Looking for more Italian Comfort Food Recipes? Check These out!

Hope you enjoy this easy homemade meatballs recipe as much as we do!

Until next time, take care and chit chat again soon.

~Dawn

P.S. If you think this homemade meatballs recipe will make your belly happy too (I happen to think they’re the best homemade meatballs, but that’s just me 😉 ), please be sure to hit that little Pin button. Many thanks, you guys! XO