Description
These Best-Ever Meatballs are a delicious and hearty dish made with a flavorful blend of ground beef, Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and garlic. Baked to perfection and simmered in a rich tomato basil sauce, they make an ideal comfort food perfect for family dinners and gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 large egg
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Tomato Basil Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried basil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, minced garlic, egg, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until all ingredients are well incorporated but avoid overmixing to keep meatballs tender.
- Shape Meatballs: Form the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs, ensuring they are evenly sized for consistent cooking. Arrange them spaced apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake Meatballs: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the meatballs for 25-30 minutes or until they are golden brown on the outside and cooked through internally.
- Prepare Tomato Basil Sauce: While the meatballs bake, heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the crushed tomatoes and dried basil, then let the sauce simmer gently to develop flavor while the meatballs finish baking.
- Combine Meatballs and Sauce: After baking, transfer the cooked meatballs into the simmering tomato basil sauce. Allow to cook together for an additional 5 minutes to blend flavors and heat the meatballs throughout.
- Serve: Serve the meatballs hot with your choice of pasta, rice, or crusty bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- Do not overmix the meatball mixture to keep them tender and juicy.
- Using day-old breadcrumbs or panko can improve texture.
- You can substitute fresh basil for dried if available for a fresher flavor.
- These meatballs freeze well; freeze uncooked meatballs on a baking sheet before storing in a freezer bag.
- For a lighter version, use lean ground beef or a mixture of ground beef and ground turkey.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
