Description
Classic Homemade Meatball Marinara is a comforting Italian-American dish featuring tender, flavorful meatballs simmered in a rich, aromatic marinara sauce made from crushed tomatoes, garlic, and herbs. Perfect for serving over pasta, in a sub sandwich, or alongside crusty bread, this recipe delivers a hearty and satisfying meal with a delicious balance of savory flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound Ground Beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
- 3/4 cup Breadcrumbs (Plain or Italian-seasoned)
- 1 large Egg
- 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley (finely chopped)
- 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 small Onion (finely chopped)
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Pepper (freshly ground)
Marinara Sauce
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 28 ounces Canned Tomatoes (crushed)
- 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 1 teaspoon Dried Basil
To Serve
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (grated)
Instructions
- Prepare the meatball mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, parsley, garlic, onion, salt, and pepper. Mix gently but thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are fully incorporated without overworking the meat.
- Shape the meatballs: Form the mixture into meatballs about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, arranging them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for easy handling.
- Brown the meatballs: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides, approximately 4-5 minutes, until they have a nice crust. Remove the browned meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics and make the sauce: In the same skillet, add the finely chopped onion and garlic. Sauté until translucent and fragrant. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, and dried basil. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for about 10 minutes to develop flavors.
- Simmer meatballs in sauce: Add the browned meatballs back into the skillet with the marinara sauce. Cover and let them simmer on low heat for 25-30 minutes, allowing the meatballs to cook through and absorb the sauce flavors.
- Check doneness and serve: Verify the meatballs have reached an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption. Serve the meatballs and sauce over pasta, inside a sub sandwich, or with bread, garnished generously with grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Use 80/20 ground beef for moist and flavorful meatballs.
- Breadcrumbs help bind the meatballs and maintain tenderness.
- Simmering in sauce ensures meatballs stay juicy and absorb rich flavors.
- Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure safety.
- Make extra sauce to use as a dipping sauce or pasta topping.
