Meatballs in Tomato Sauce Recipe

Three meatballs covered in a rich tomato sauce with a few fresh basil leaves serve as garnish. The dish is presented in a white bowl and the sauce appears thick with visible chunks of tomato.
3.04 from 62 votes

Quick and easy recipe for homemade meatballs in tomato sauce. This dish is perfect for dinner and lunch. Serve these meatballs with pasta, rice or potatoes and your family will love it!

Three meatballs covered in a rich tomato sauce with a few fresh basil leaves serve as garnish. The dish is presented in a white bowl and the sauce appears thick with visible chunks of tomato.

Meatballs in Tomato Sauce Recipe

3.04 from 62 votes
Prep Time 1 hour 30 minutes
WORK TIME 20 minutes
DIFFICULTY Easy
Cuisine World
Servings 6 yields

Ingredients
 

For the meatballs:

  • 600 g 21.16 oz minced beef
  • 1 onion
  • â…“ bunch parsley
  • 1 egg
  • â…“ cup 42g dry bread crumbs
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon paprika

For the sauce:

  • 1 large onion
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • ½ red chili pepper optional
  • 600 g 21oz homemade tomato sauce
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 600 ml water
  • 7-8 basil leaves
  • Salt & pepper

Instructions
 

  • DIRECTIONS
    1. Finely chop onion and parsley. Crush garlic cloves. In a large bowl place the beef, chopped onion, parsley, crushed garlic, egg, bread crumbs and seasoning. Mix well with your hands until all combined.
    2. Form into balls. In a large pan heat oil over medium heat. Fry the meatballs for about 1 minute for each side until lightly brown and remove from the pan.
    3. For the sauce: chop onion, slice garlic cloves, chili pepper and basil.
    4. In the same pan sauté onion for 4-5 minutes. Add sliced garlic and chili, sauté for 3-4 minutes more. Add tomato sauce, fill the empty tins of the tomato sauce with water (about 600 ml) and pour into the pan, add tomato paste, basil leaves, season with salt, pepper, paprika and stir.
    5. Bring to sauce to a boil, transfer the browned meatballs to the sauce, reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, for about 30-40 minutes. Serve.

Video

YouTube video
Nutrition information is automatically generated and thus we can not guarantee it is 100% accurate.

2 Comments

  1. Yvonne Tan says:

    How do you think I can prepare this ahead of time? Cook it and freeze and reheat? Or make meatballs uncooked and freeze and cook on day itself? What’s best?

    October 18, 2021
  2. 5 stars
    I made this recipe and it is absolutely delicious. It takes some time but it is worth it 💕.

    November 11, 2024
3.04 from 62 votes (61 ratings without comment)

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