Television Era Spiced Beef Meatballs with Tangy Tomato Sauce

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-01 · Updated 2026-05-01

Juicy spiced beef meatballs simmered in a tangy tomato sauce, inspired by the growth of television ownership through the decades. This italian-inspired beef ready in about 50 minutes pairs ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk 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 (85% lean) ground beef
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 large egg
• 1 small, finely chopped onion
• 2 cloves, minced garlic
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 can (14 oz) canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp (optional) red pepper flakes
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground beef, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup milk, 1 large beaten egg, 1 finely chopped small onion, 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
2. Step 2: Shape the mixture into 16 evenly sized meatballs (about 1 1/2 inches diameter).
3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs and cook for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally until browned on all sides but not fully cooked through. Remove meatballs and set aside.
4. Step 4: In the same skillet, add 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if using. Stir and simmer over medium-low heat for 5 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
5. Step 5: Return meatballs to the skillet, spooning sauce over them. Cover and simmer gently for 12-15 minutes until meatballs are cooked through and sauce is rich.
6. Step 6: Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil just before serving, spooning sauce and meatballs over cooked pasta or rice if desired.