Pepper and Meatball Ragù with Rustic Italian Bread
Juicy beef meatballs simmered in a rich tomato and roasted pepper ragù, served alongside thick slices of rustic Italian bread for dipping. This italian-inspired beef ready in about 70 minutes pairs ground beef, Italian sausage, casing removed, bread crumbs for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 560 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 Italian sausage, casing removed
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 large egg
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 cup, chopped roasted red bell peppers
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1 medium, finely chopped yellow onion
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 loaf, sliced thick rustic Italian bread
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 lb Italian sausage (casing removed), 1/2 cup bread crumbs, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 large egg, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
- Step 2: Form mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Step 3: Meanwhile, heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely chopped yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent.
- Step 4: Add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 cup chopped roasted red bell peppers, cooking for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 5: Stir in 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried basil, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer sauce over low heat for 15 minutes.
- Step 6: Add baked meatballs to the ragù and simmer together for 10 minutes to meld flavors.
- Step 7: Serve ragù and meatballs hot with thick slices of rustic Italian bread for dipping.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pepper and Meatball Ragù with Rustic Italian Bread take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (25 min prep + 45 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 Pepper and Meatball Ragù with Rustic Italian Bread?
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 Pepper and Meatball Ragù with Rustic Italian Bread?
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 Pepper and Meatball Ragù with Rustic Italian Bread 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 Pepper and Meatball Ragù with Rustic Italian Bread?
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.
