Go Back

Classic Meatballs with Homemade Tomato Sauce

Juicy, flavorful meatballs simmered in a rich and tangy homemade tomato sauce. Perfect for pasta, subs, or as a hearty appetizer.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Course Appetizer, Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine Italian
Servings 5 servings
Calories 450 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs:

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1/2 lb ground italian sausage
  • 3/4 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/3 cup parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley minced
  • 1 tsp fresh rosemary minced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes optional
  • 2 tbsp olive oil for frying

For the Tomato Sauce:

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 2 medium carrots peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 14.5 oz can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme minced
  • 1 tsp fresh sage minced
  • 1 tsp fresh rosemary minced
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 2 tsp granulated sugar
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 parmesan rind

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground beef, 1/2 lb ground italian sausage, 3/4 cup breadcrumbs, 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, 1 large egg, 2 cloves garlic, 2 tbsp fresh parsley, 1 tsp fresh rosemary, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and ¼ tsp red pepper flakes. Mix until just combined; avoid overmixing.
    1 lb ground beef, 1/2 lb ground italian sausage, 3/4 cup breadcrumbs, 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, 1 large egg, 2 cloves garlic, 2 tbsp fresh parsley, 1 tsp fresh rosemary, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
  • Shape the mixture into 1½-inch meatballs and set aside.
  • Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs in batches, browning all sides (they don’t need to cook through). Remove and set aside.
    2 tbsp olive oil
  • In the same skillet, add 2 tbsp olive oil and sauté the diced 1 yellow onion, 2 medium carrots2 celery stalks until soft, about 10 minutes. Add 3 cloves garlic and cook 1 more minute until fragrant.
    2 tbsp olive oil, 1 yellow onion, 2 medium carrots, 2 celery stalks, 3 cloves garlic
  • Stir in 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes, 1 14.5 oz can fire-roasted diced tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp fresh thyme, 1 tsp fresh sage, 1 tsp fresh rosemary, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper and 2 tsp granulated sugar Add the 2 bay leaves and 1 parmesan rind. Simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes, 1 14.5 oz can fire-roasted diced tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp fresh thyme, 1 tsp fresh sage, 1 tsp fresh rosemary, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper, 2 tsp granulated sugar, 2 bay leaves, 1 parmesan rind
  • Remove the bay leaves and parmesan rind. Use an immersion blender to blend the sauce until smooth and combined.
  • Gently add the browned meatballs to the tomato sauce. Cover and simmer for 15–20 minutes until meatballs are cooked through.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  • Serve meatballs and sauce over pasta or as an appetizer. Garnish with extra Parmesan and fresh parsley if desired.
Keyword beef, classic meatballs, homemade tomato sauce, Meatballs, sausage, tomato sauce