Herb-Baked Beef Meatballs with Tomato Basil Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-06 · Updated 2026-04-06

Tender, herb-infused meatballs baked until golden and served in a bright tomato basil sauce — a Whole30-friendly crowd-pleaser. This Italian-inspired beef recipe (dairy-free, whole30), ready in about 40 minutes, pairs grass-fed ground beef, fresh parsley, fresh oregano for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a Whole30 week and pairs well with roasted sweet potato or a simple olive-oil salad. 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 grass-fed ground beef
• 2 tbsp, finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tbsp, finely chopped fresh oregano
• 1 clove, minced garlic
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp avocado oil
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
• 1 tbsp olive oil

The sheet pan we’d roast this on → Best Sheet Pans in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). In a bowl, combine 1 lb grass-fed ground beef, 2 tbsp chopped parsley, 1 tbsp chopped oregano, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
2. Step 2: Roll mixture into 12 meatballs (about 1.5 inches each) and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush with 1 tbsp avocado oil.
3. Step 3: Bake for 15-18 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
4. Step 4: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and cook for 2 more minutes.
5. Step 5: Serve meatballs in tomato sauce and garnish with extra basil if desired.