Italian-Style Meatballs in Tomato Sauce Recipe
This Italian-Style Meatballs in Tomato Sauce recipe delivers tender, flavorful meatballs baked to perfection and simmered in a rich, homemade tomato sauce. Paired with al dente spaghetti and fresh basil, this classic dish is a delicious and satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup yellow onion, grated
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
- 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp kosher salt
Tomato Sauce
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 cups DeLallo Passata Tomato Purée
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp kosher salt
Pasta
- 12 oz DeLallo Spaghetti
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for the meatballs.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, panko breadcrumbs, grated onion, fresh basil, dried oregano, and kosher salt. Mix gently to combine; avoid overmixing to keep meatballs tender.
- Shape and Bake Meatballs: Use oiled hands to form the meat mixture into 8 evenly sized balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes. Note that the meatballs will not be fully cooked yet.
- Prepare Tomato Sauce: While the meatballs bake, heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-low heat. Add the finely diced onion and cook for 3-5 minutes until translucent. Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, dried oregano, and kosher salt. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- Simmer Meatballs in Sauce: Pour in the passata tomato purée and bring the sauce to a simmer. Add the partially baked meatballs to the pot, cover, and simmer over medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes until the meatballs are fully cooked and flavors meld.
- Cook Pasta and Serve: Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and toss pasta with a few spoonfuls of tomato sauce. Plate the pasta, top with meatballs and extra fresh basil for garnish, then serve hot.
Notes
- Do not overmix meatball mixture to avoid dense meatballs.
- Baking meatballs partially before simmering ensures they hold shape and cook evenly.
- Use fresh herbs like basil for the best flavor.
- Simmer meatballs gently in the sauce to keep them tender and juicy.
- Reserve some tomato sauce to toss with pasta to infuse flavor throughout.