These Italian meatballs in cream sauce are made with oven baked meatballs simmered in a flavorful tomato cream sauce. They are tender, juicy and perfect for a family dinner any night of the week!

Meatballs in a cream sauce in a black pan.

If you love beef meatballs in tomato sauce, you’ll also want to try Italian baked meatballs, Italian meatballs in red pepper tomato sauce and this Italian meatball stew.

Italian meatballs in cream sauce, also known as Polpette al baffo in Italy, are a hearty and comforting dinner idea! Meatballs are oven-baked until tender then simmered with a delicious sauce made with tomatoes, cream and pancetta.

It’s my traditional Italian meatballs recipe combined with my favorite tomato cream sauce but with the addition of savory pancetta in the sauce! These are so good, they will disappear fast on the dinner table.

Like this creamy tomato pasta, you can serve them over penne or over mashed potatoes or rice!

Why You’ll Love These Baked Meatballs in Cream Sauce

Hearty and flavorful: Italian meatballs in cream sauce recipe are made with flavorful tender, beefy meatballs simmered in a savory homemade tomato cream sauce.
Meatballs are a crowd pleaser: No one ever complains when they see meatballs are on the menu! With versatile serving options, these are always a great dinner idea.

Recipe Ingredients

Meatballs: Ground beef and ground pork, eggs, breadcrumbs, milk, Parmesan cheese, garlic, salt, pepper and parsley.
Creamy tomato sauce: Olive oil, shallot, pancetta, tomato passata, heavy cream, parsley, salt and black pepper.
Extras: Fresh parsley and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Substitutions and Variations

Pancetta: You can use bacon instead of pancetta.
Instead of breadcrumbs: Soak dry bread in milk first then add to the meatballs as a binder.
Meat: I used a mixture of beef and pork for the best juicy texture, but you can use any lean ground meat you like including turkey or chicken.
Instead of parsley: Try fresh basil for a sweeter taste.
Heat: Add some red pepper flakes to the sauce if you like some heat.

How to Make Italian Meatballs in Cream Sauce

To start, in a large mixing bowl combine the beef, pork, egg, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, parsley, salt and pepper. Slowly add the milk and combine until the mixture is moist and holds together.

Mixing the mixture to make meatballs in a white bowl.

Form the meatball mixture into the meatballs and place on the prepared parchment paper lined baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap and chill.

The meat formed into meatballs on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.

Remove the meatball recipe from the fridge, remove the plastic wrap and bake.

The baked meatballs on the baking sheet.

While the homemade meatballs bake, in a large skillet add the olive oil, chopped shallot and pancetta then cook on medium heat until the pancetta starts to brown.

Add the tomato sauce and cook, then add the cream and continue to cook until thickened before adding the parsley, salt and pepper and cook.

The sauce cooked with parsley added in a red pan.

Remove the meatballs from the oven, add to the creamy sauce, gently combine and simmer, serve immediately, topped with chopped parsley and freshly grated Parmigiano.

The meatballs cooked in the sauce in the red pan.

Can I Cook the Meatballs on the Stove?

Yes! I prefer to bake them as they are less messy, but you can pan-fry them using the same method I use for my simple Italian meatballs. Combine the meatball mixture, then brown meatball in olive oil in a frying pan for about 5 minutes. Add ⅓ cup of broth and continue to cook for about 10-12 minutes until cooked through. Adding the broth ensures they stay moist and juicy.

Tips for the Best Meatballs in Tomato Cream Sauce

Don’t skip chilling the meatballs. This gives time for the fat to solidify in the beefy meatballs so that they hold their shape while baking and remain tender and juicy.
Avoid overworking the meatball mixture. This leads to dense meatballs that will not be as tender and juicy.
Wet your hands. If you find that the mixture is sticking to your hands when forming the meatballs, rinsing hands with cold water can help it be less sticky.
Garnish. Add some freshly grated mozzarella, parmesan and fresh basil on the top for a delicious twist.

Serving Suggestions

The oven baked meatballs in tomato cream sauce can be served in so many ways!

Add on top of your favorite al dente pasta like I always do with my classic Italian meatballs recipe.
Serve these meatballs in tomato gravy as an appetizer at any party or gathering.
Keep it simple with some sourdough bread on the side with a fresh green salad.
Make a sandwich by adding the meatballs between your favorite rolls or buns.
Instead of noodles, serve over mashed potatoes or rice.

More Meatball Recipes

This Italian meatballs in cream sauce recipe is actually one of our favorites and I hope it becomes one of yours too! Buon Appetito!