These easy Beef Meatballs in Tomato Sauce are tender, moist, and incredibly satisfying. They’re made with a perfect blend of ground beef, breadcrumbs, and a handful of pantry-friendly ingredients, then simmered in a rich, seasoned tomato sauce.
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Why This Recipe Stands Out
We love a good meatball recipe, but this one really stands out. The meatballs are tender and juicy, and the homemade sauce is packed with flavor. Here's why you need to make this recipe:
- Easy to Make: This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients, most of which you probably already have in your pantry.
- Perfect for a Crowd: Whether you're hosting a party or feeding a large family, this recipe can easily be doubled or tripled.
- Versatile: Serve these meatballs with pasta for a hearty, comforting meal, or go the appetizer route and serve them with toothpicks.
- Meal Prep Friendly: These meatballs make great leftovers, so they're perfect for meal prep. They can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Key Ingredients
- Ground Beef – The star of our dish, ground beef is a great source of protein and adds a hearty, meaty flavor to the meatballs.
- Onion and Garlic – These aromatics are finely minced and added to the meatballs for a flavor boost.
- Italian Seasoning – We use a combination of Italian seasoning in the meatballs and oregano in the sauce to add that classic Italian flavor.
- Crushed Tomatoes – The base of our tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes provide a rich, thick sauce for our meatballs.
- Coconut Sugar – We use coconut sugar to add a touch of sweetness to the sauce, balancing out the acidity of the tomatoes.
Substitutions and Variations
This classic recipe for beef meatballs in tomato sauce is a staple in many homes. Here are some of our favorite variations:
- Meat: While this recipe calls for ground beef, feel free to get creative with your meat choices. Ground turkey, chicken, or even lamb will work well in this recipe. If you're looking for a vegetarian option, try my vegan meatballs recipe instead.
- Herbs: We love the flavor of Italian seasoning in this dish, but you can mix it up with your favorite herbs. Try adding some thyme, rosemary, or even a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little kick.
- Sauce: The tomato sauce is the star of this dish, and you can play around with it in so many ways. If you prefer a smoother sauce, swap the crushed tomatoes for tomato sauce. And if you're a cheese lover, a sprinkle of Parmesan on top of the meatballs is always a good idea.
- Sweetener: The coconut sugar in this recipe adds a touch of sweetness to the sauce, but feel free to use your preferred sweetener. Maple syrup or even a pinch of regular sugar will work just as well.
How to Make Easy Beef Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
Step 1: Combine breadcrumbs and milk in a small bowl and let it sit for 5 minutes. In a large bowl, mix ground beef, onion, garlic, seasonings, and soaked breadcrumbs.
Step 2: Form the mixture into 2-inch meatballs and place them on a baking sheet. Bake at 400 F for 20 minutes.
Step 3: In a large saucepan, heat avocado oil and sauté garlic. Add crushed tomatoes, oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper. Gently add the meatballs to the sauce and simmer for 5-7 minutes.
Step 4: Sprinkle fresh basil on the meatballs and sauce. Serve over pasta or rice.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
What to Serve with Beef Meatballs
Vegetables
- Beef meatballs in tomato sauce are delicious when served with a simple side salad. Try a classic garden salad with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and a light vinaigrette dressing.
- If you prefer cooked vegetables, steamed green beans or roasted asparagus are great choices. They add a pop of color to your plate and pair well with the flavors of the meatballs.
Pasta or Bread
- Of course, you can never go wrong with serving meatballs with pasta. Spaghetti is a classic choice, but feel free to experiment with different pasta shapes. We love penne, fusilli, and rigatoni with this dish.
- Garlic bread or a crusty baguette are perfect for sopping up the delicious tomato sauce. You can also serve the meatballs over a bed of cooked spaghetti squash for a lighter, low-carbohydrates option.
Rice or Potatoes
- Rice is a great side dish for meatballs. Try it with white basmati rice, jasmine rice, or even a flavorful pilaf.
- Potatoes also pair well with this dish. Mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, or even potato wedges are all delicious options.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use any type of ground beef for this recipe, but we recommend using ground beef that has a higher fat content, such as 85% lean. The fat will help keep the meatballs moist and juicy. If you prefer a leaner option, you can also use 90% or 93% lean ground beef but just be aware that the meatballs may be slightly less juicy.
Yes, you can absolutely use store-bought breadcrumbs if you're in a pinch. However, we highly recommend making your own because the flavor and texture will be so much better. Plus, it's super easy! Just pulse a few slices of stale white bread in a food processor until they form coarse crumbs. You can also add some Italian seasoning or dried herbs for extra flavor.
Soaking the breadcrumbs in milk helps to keep the meatballs moist and tender. As the breadcrumbs absorb the milk, they become soft and will release moisture as the meatballs cook. This extra moisture is what helps prevent the meatballs from becoming dry.
Beef meatballs in tomato sauce can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Make sure to store them in an airtight container.
If you make this recipe, please leave me a comment below and rate it. I always appreciate the feedback. Also, you can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.
Recipe
Easy Beef Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
Ingredients
- ½ c Italian breadcrumbs or 1 thick slice of stale white bread
- ⅔ c milk or coconut milk
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion finely minced
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
For the sauce:
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic finely minced
- 2 cans 30 oz crushed tomatoes
- ½ teaspoon oregano or Italian seasoning
- 1 ½ teaspoon coconut sugar or cane Maple syrup or cane sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons basil chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In small combine breadcrumbs and milk and let it sit for 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, soaked breadcrumbs, and milk. (If you soaked bread, break it with your fingers into tiny pieces). Mix it well.
- Wet your hands and form 2-inch meatballs. Place them on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through until the internal temperature reaches 165F. Remove from the oven and set aside.
- Heat avocado oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
- Add garlic and stir for 30 seconds. Stir in crushed tomatoes, oregano, sugar, salt, and black pepper.
- Add the meatballs to a sauce, bring it to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 5-7 minutes until the meatballs are heated through.
- Sprinkle with the fresh basil and serve over pasta or rice.
Notes
- After combining the breadcrumbs and milk, let them sit for 5 minutes. This allows the breadcrumbs to fully absorb the milk, keeping the meatballs moist and tender.
- When mixing the meatball ingredients, use your hands. This helps to evenly distribute the ingredients without overworking the meat, which can make it tough.
- Soaking the breadcrumbs in milk is a classic technique that not only adds moisture but also helps to make the meatballs tender. If you don't have Italian breadcrumbs, a thick slice of stale white bread works just as well.
- When forming the meatballs, wet your hands. This prevents the meat mixture from sticking to your hands and makes it easier to roll into smooth, even meatballs.
- Cook the meatballs until they reach an internal temperature of 165F. This ensures that they are safe to eat and remain juicy.
- After baking the meatballs, don't forget to let them rest while you prepare the sauce. This allows the meat to reabsorb any juices that were released during cooking, keeping them flavorful.
- Serve the meatballs and sauce over pasta or rice for a complete meal. This dish also pairs well with a side of crusty bread for soaking up the delicious sauce.
Nutrition
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Iryna Bychkiv is the founder and writer of the culinary website Lavender & Macarons, where she shares clean, European-inspired recipes that are delicious, easy to prepare, and made with wholesome ingredients. Iryna loves creating meals that are simple yet healthy and unique, including vegan and vegetarian recipes.
Iryna is also a freelance writer for MSN and Associated Press Wire.
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