Baked Italian-Style Meatballs with Tomato and Parmesan
Juicy oven-baked meatballs seasoned with Italian herbs, simmered in a bright tomato sauce, and topped with Parmesan cheese for a classic comfort dish. This italian-inspired beef ready in about 50 minutes pairs ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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
- 1/2 lb ground pork
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 1/2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 cup for topping extra grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground beef, 1/2 lb ground pork, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup milk, 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 3 cloves minced garlic, 1 1/2 tsp dried Italian seasoning, 1 large egg, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
- Step 2: Shape the mixture into 18 meatballs about 1 1/2 inches in diameter and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Step 3: Drizzle 2 tbsp olive oil over the meatballs and bake for 15 minutes until browned.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, warm 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes with 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil for 5 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 5: Transfer baked meatballs into the skillet with tomato sauce and simmer for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Step 6: Sprinkle 1/4 cup extra grated Parmesan cheese over the meatballs just before serving hot.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Italian-Style Meatballs with Tomato and Parmesan take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Baked Italian-Style Meatballs with Tomato and Parmesan?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Italian-Style Meatballs with Tomato and Parmesan?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Italian-Style Meatballs with Tomato and Parmesan for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Baked Italian-Style Meatballs with Tomato and Parmesan?
Italian beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
