Italian Baked Beef Meatballs with Tomato Sauce
Juicy beef meatballs, baked and simmered in a rich tomato sauce, perfect for pairing with pasta or crusty bread. This Italian-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, pairs ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, 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 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 small, finely chopped onion
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground beef, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 large beaten egg, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
- Step 2: Shape mixture into 16 equal meatballs and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle 2 tbsp olive oil over the meatballs.
- Step 3: Bake meatballs for 20 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Step 4: While meatballs bake, heat a large skillet over medium heat and sauté 1 small finely chopped onion in 1 tbsp olive oil for 4 minutes until translucent. Add 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes and 1 tsp dried oregano; simmer for 10 minutes until thickened.
- Step 5: Transfer baked meatballs to the skillet with tomato sauce and gently simmer for 5 minutes to meld flavors before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Italian Baked Beef Meatballs with Tomato Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 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 Italian Baked Beef Meatballs with Tomato Sauce?
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 Italian Baked Beef Meatballs with Tomato Sauce?
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 Italian Baked Beef Meatballs with Tomato Sauce for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Italian Baked Beef Meatballs with Tomato Sauce?
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.
