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Italian Meatballs in Marinara

Italian Meatballs in Marinara
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Italian Meatballs in Marinara are a quick and comforting classic dish featuring tender, juicy meatballs crafted from a mix of beef and pork, infused with Parmesan and fresh herbs, simmered in a vibrant, garlicky tomato sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe offers a flavorful and versatile meal perfect for weeknights, family dinners, or gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatball Ingredients

  • 1/2 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 pound ground pork
  • 1/2 cup bread crumbs (use gluten-free if needed)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 large egg
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Marinara Sauce Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef and pork with breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, chopped parsley, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix gently but thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated—be careful not to overwork the meat.
  2. Form the Meatballs: Using your hands or a small scoop, shape the mixture into bite-sized meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, placing them on a plate or tray ready for cooking.
  3. Brown the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs carefully, cooking them in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Brown all sides for about 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally until they develop a golden crust. Remove the meatballs and set aside.
  4. Make the Marinara Sauce: In the same skillet, add a little more olive oil if needed and sauté finely chopped onion and garlic until fragrant and translucent, about 3 minutes. Pour in crushed tomatoes, sprinkle with salt, pepper, and chopped basil, and simmer for 10 minutes to develop flavor.
  5. Simmer Meatballs in Sauce: Carefully add the browned meatballs back into the skillet, nestling them gently into the marinara. Cover and simmer on low heat for an additional 10 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and the meat to cook through.
  6. Serve and Enjoy: Once the meatballs are fully cooked and the sauce thickened slightly, the dish is ready. Serve hot with your favorite side or pasta, garnished with fresh parsley or extra grated cheese.

Notes

  • Don’t overmix the meatball mixture to keep them tender.
  • Make meatballs uniform in size for even cooking.
  • Brown meatballs before simmering for better texture and flavor.
  • Use fresh parsley and basil for bright aromatic notes.
  • Simmer gently to meld flavors without toughening meatballs.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian meatballs, marinara sauce, quick dinner, comfort food, gluten free meatballs, family meal, easy Italian recipe

Find it online: https://ninagourmet.com/italian-meatballs-in-marinara/