Italian Baked Meatballs

These delicious Baked Meatballs are tender and juicy, baked in a simple spiced tomato sauce. Makes the perfect Dinner Recipe. Serve over your favourite Pasta.

Meatballs are a popular Dinner Dish and these Meatballs in Red Pepper Tomato Sauce are one of our favourites!

Baked Meatballs

I have loved meatballs every since I first tasted my Mom’s Best Meatballs. And naturally I got my family hooked on them too. Adjusting to Italian life was interesting especially when I discovered that Italians do not eat Spaghetti and Meatballs together!

Pasta is considered a first plate and the Meatballs (or any meat or fish dish) is considered a second plate. Just be sure to serve them with some fresh Italian Crusty bread, what you need to wipe up all that delicious Sauce.

How to Make Baked Meatballs:

1. In a large bowl combine the ground beef and pork, spices, egg and bread crumbs and gently combine, then form into 7-8 meatballs.
2. In a medium bowl add the peeled Roma or San Marzano tomatoes and chop, then add the olive oil, spices and a little water and mix.
3. In a large skillet drizzle the bottom of the pan with a little oil, add the sauce and top with meatballs, sprinkle with shredded Parmesan Cheese. Bake for approximately 20 – 25 minutes, the meatballs can be turned halfway through the cooking process, but it isn’t necessary.
4. Serve topped with grated Parmesan Cheese.

Can Meatballs be frozen?

Meatballs can either be frozen cooked or uncooked. Place meatballs (if cooked let them cool slightly) on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet and freeze until firm, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag. They can remain for up to 2-3 months in the freezer.

Let the Meatballs defrost overnight in the fridge, then cook as per the recipe.

Ingredients for the Best Baked Meatballs:

• Be sure to use freshly grated Parmesan Cheese and not the cheese sold in plastic packages, cans or jars.
• Ground beef with 15-20 % fat. A little fat content helps the meatballs stay juicy.
• I like to use a little ground pork also or even an Italian sausage with the casing removed.
• For the Tomato sauce be sure to use canned peeled Roma or San Marzano tomatoes, just the tomatoes with nothing added.
• Use fresh parsley and thyme.

More Delicious Meatball Recipes:

Mom’s Easy Traditional Italian Meatballs

Little Meatballs with Parmesan Garlic Rice

Polpettone

Double Cheese Meatballs Two Ways

I hope you give these Baked Meatballs a try and let me know how you like them. Buon Appetito!

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5 from 2 votes

Italian Baked Meatballs

These delicious Baked Meatballs are tender and juicy, baked in a simple spiced tomato sauce. Makes the perfect Dinner Recipe, serve over your favourite Pasta.

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Course Main Dish

Cuisine Italian

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Servings 4 servings

Calories 417kcal

Author Rosemary Molloy

Ingredients

FOR THE MEATBALLS

• ▢ 1 1/2 slices bread (60 grams)
• ▢ 1/4 cup milk
• ▢ .66 pound ground beef (15-20% fat) (300 grams)
• ▢ 1 large Italian sausage (casing removed and chopped) (100 grams)
• ▢ 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese (50 grams)
• ▢ 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• ▢ 1 egg
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1-2 dashes black pepper
• ▢ 1 clove garlic (minced)

FOR THE TOMATO SAUCE

• ▢ 14 ounces Peeled Tomatoes (Roma / San Marzano-1 can) (400 grams)
• ▢ 1-2 cloves garlic (minced)
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon basil
• ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1-2 dashes hot pepper flakes if desired
• ▢ 1 tablespoon water

TOPPINGS

• ▢ 1/4 - 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan Cheese
• ▢ 1-2 sprigs fresh thyme

Instructions

• Pre-heat oven to 350F (180C). Drizzle 1 tablespoon of oil on a oven save skillet or pan (10 inches / 25 cm).

FOR THE MEATBALLS

• In a small bowl add the milk and bread (crust removed) let soak, then squeeze out excess moisture and crumble.
• In a large bowl add the ground beef, sausage, crumbled bread, parmesan, parsley, egg, salt, pepper and garlic, gently combine. (do not over mix). Form into 7-8 meatballs.

FOR THE SAUCE

• In a medium bowl add the tomatoes (chop coarsely) then add the garlic, oregano, basil, olive oil, salt, hot pepper flakes and water, combine with a fork.
• Pour the sauce on the bottom of the pan, place meatballs on top. Sprinkle with half the parmesan cheese and fresh thyme. Bake for approximately 20-25 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining parmesan cheese and serve immediately 

Nutrition

Calories: 417kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 125mg | Sodium: 956mg | Potassium: 559mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 475IU | Vitamin C: 13.3mg | Calcium: 230mg | Iron: 3.7mg

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