Baked Italian-Style Meatballs in Spiced Tomato Sauce

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-27 · Updated 2026-04-27

Tender baked meatballs infused with Italian herbs, simmered in a rich tomato sauce seasoned with garlic and oregano. This italian-inspired beef ready in about 50 minutes blends ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 430 calories and feeds 4, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg
• 2 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 small, finely diced onion

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground beef, 1/3 cup breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup milk, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 large beaten egg, 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
2. Step 2: Shape the mixture into 20 evenly sized meatballs (about 1.5 inches each) and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
3. Step 3: Bake meatballs for 15 minutes until browned and cooked through.
4. Step 4: Meanwhile, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 small finely diced onion and sauté for 4 minutes until softened.
5. Step 5: Add 28 oz crushed tomatoes and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes to the skillet, simmer for 10 minutes to develop flavor.
6. Step 6: Transfer baked meatballs into the skillet with the tomato sauce and simmer together for 5 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the meatballs. Serve hot.