Description
Easy Italian Meatballs in Marinara is a comforting and hearty dish featuring tender, juicy meatballs made from a blend of beef and pork, simmered in a rich, tangy marinara sauce. Perfect served over pasta, in sandwiches, or as a standalone meal, this recipe offers authentic Italian flavors with simple ingredients and straightforward steps ideal for beginners. Freezer friendly and versatile, it’s a classic comfort food made effortlessly at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatball Ingredients
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup finely minced onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef and pork with breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, minced garlic and onion, chopped parsley, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix gently using your hands until all ingredients are fully incorporated without overworking the meat.
- Shape the Meatballs: Form the mixture into even meatballs about 1.5 inches in diameter. Place them on a parchment-lined tray to prevent sticking and ensure uniform size for even cooking.
- Brown the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides, turning carefully to develop a golden crust. Do not cook through at this stage—just sear them to lock in juices and flavor.
- Simmer in Marinara Sauce: Transfer the browned meatballs into a pot of warmed marinara sauce. Cover and simmer gently on low heat for 20 to 25 minutes, allowing the meatballs to cook through fully and the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once tender and flavorful, serve meatballs immediately over spaghetti, creamy polenta, or in sandwich rolls. Garnish with freshly torn basil leaves or extra grated Parmesan as desired.
Notes
- Don’t overmix the meat mixture to keep meatballs tender and avoid toughness.
- Use a small ice cream scoop or uniform measuring tool to ensure even meatballs for consistent cooking.
- Take your time browning meatballs well to enhance texture and depth of flavor.
- Simmer the sauce gently; boiling may cause meatballs to break apart.
- For richer flavor, make marinara sauce from scratch using fresh tomatoes, garlic, onion, olive oil, and herbs.
- Allow meatballs to rest in the sauce off heat for a few minutes to absorb extra flavor before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Pan-frying and Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs with sauce
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg