Classic Italian Meatballs with Tomato Gravy

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Juicy homemade meatballs slowly simmered in a rich tomato gravy, perfect for serving with pasta or crusty bread. This Italian-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 55 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 35 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground beef, 1/2 lb ground pork, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup whole milk, 1 large egg, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
  2. Step 2: Shape mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs, about 20 pieces.
  3. Step 3: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs in batches and brown on all sides for about 6 minutes total. Remove and set aside.
  4. Step 4: In the same skillet, add 1 small diced onion and sauté for 4 minutes until translucent. Add 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, and 1 tsp sugar. Stir and bring to a simmer.
  5. Step 5: Return meatballs to the skillet, cover, and simmer gently for 25 minutes until meatballs are cooked through and sauce thickens.
  6. Step 6: Serve meatballs topped with sauce alongside pasta or rustic bread.

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