Classic Italian Meatballs in Marinara Sauce
Experience the authentic taste of Italian cuisine with these hearty meatballs simmered in a rich and savory marinara sauce. Inspired by a beloved cooking class, this recipe captures the essence of traditional Italian flavors that will transport you straight to the heart of Italy. Perfect for family gatherings or cozy dinners, serve these meatballs alongside your favorite pasta for a meal that's both comforting and satisfying. Enjoy the bold flavors and aromas that fill your kitchen as you create a dish that's sure to impress!
N/A
Servings
633
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
ground beef
2.5 lbs (Raw)
romano cheese
0.5 cup (Grated)
dry Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
0.75 cup (Raw)
large eggs
4 (Raw)
salt
2 teaspoons (Raw)
fresh garlic
0.25 cup (Chopped)
garlic cloves
6 (Sliced thin)
Spanish onion
1 large (Diced into 1/4 inch pieces)
celery
1 (Chopped)
carrot
1 (Chopped)
olive oil
0.25 cup (Plus 2 tablespoons for sautéing)
fresh Italian parsley
0.25 cup (Chopped)
plum tomatoes
2 (28 ounce) cans (With juice)
salt and pepper
To taste (Raw)
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, grated Romano cheese, breadcrumbs, eggs, salt, chopped garlic, diced onion, chopped celery, chopped carrot, 1/4 cup of olive oil, and chopped parsley. Mix until well combined.
2
Shape the mixture into meatballs about the size of a golf ball, approximately 40 meatballs in total. Place the formed meatballs on a baking sheet and let them rest for 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld.
3
For the meatball sauce, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the sliced garlic, diced onion, chopped celery, and chopped carrot until they become translucent and fragrant.
4
Once the vegetables are translucent, stir in the chopped parsley. Then add the plum tomatoes, breaking them apart with your hands as you add them to the skillet along with their juice.
5
Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the tomato mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
6
Carefully add the meatballs to the simmering sauce, ensuring they are submerged. Allow the meatballs to simmer in the sauce for about 45 minutes, or until they are cooked through and flavorful.
7
Once cooked, remove the meatballs from the skillet and place them on a serving platter. Drizzle some sauce over them and serve with your favorite pasta for a delicious and hearty meal!
Nutrition Information
37g
Fat
50g
Carbs
53g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary dish featured in this recipe?
The primary dish is Classic Italian Meatballs in Marinara Sauce.
How much ground beef do I need for the meatballs?
You will need 2.5 lbs of raw ground beef.
What type of cheese is used in the meatball mixture?
The recipe calls for 0.5 cup of grated Romano cheese.
How many eggs are included in the recipe?
The recipe includes 4 large eggs.
What kind of breadcrumbs should I use?
You should use 0.75 cup of dry Italian seasoned breadcrumbs.
How many meatballs does this recipe yield?
This recipe yields approximately 40 meatballs.
What size should I shape the meatballs into?
Shape the mixture into meatballs about the size of a golf ball.
How long should the formed meatballs rest before cooking?
The meatballs should rest on a baking sheet for 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld.
What vegetables are mixed directly into the meatball mixture?
Chopped garlic, diced Spanish onion, chopped celery, and chopped carrot are mixed into the meat.
How should the Spanish onion be prepared?
The onion should be diced into 1/4 inch pieces.
How many garlic cloves are used for the sauce?
Six garlic cloves, sliced thin, are used for the meatball sauce.
What type of tomatoes are used for the marinara sauce?
The recipe uses two 28-ounce cans of plum tomatoes with their juice.
How do I prepare the plum tomatoes for the sauce?
Break the plum tomatoes apart with your hands as you add them to the skillet.
How much olive oil is used in the entire recipe?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of olive oil in the meatball mixture plus 2 tablespoons for sauteing the vegetables.
What is the recommended cooking time for simmering the meatballs in the sauce?
Simmer the meatballs in the sauce for about 45 minutes until they are cooked through.
What are the nutritional values for calories and protein per serving?
Each serving contains 633 calories and 53g of protein.
How much fat and carbohydrates are in this dish?
This dish contains 37g of fat and 50g of carbohydrates per serving.
What herbs are used to flavor the dish?
Fresh Italian parsley is used in both the meatballs and the sauce.
How should I serve these Italian meatballs?
Serve the meatballs on a platter drizzled with sauce alongside your favorite pasta.
What should the texture of the vegetables be before adding tomatoes to the sauce?
The garlic, onion, celery, and carrot should be sauteed until they are translucent and fragrant.
What type of salt is recommended?
The recipe calls for standard salt in the mix and salt to taste in the sauce.
Is this recipe considered comfort food?
Yes, it is tagged as comfort food and a hearty meal.
Can I use dried parsley instead of fresh?
The recipe specifically recommends fresh Italian parsley for the best flavor.
Do I cook the meatballs before adding them to the sauce?
No, the raw meatballs are added directly to the simmering sauce to cook through.
What is the first step in making the sauce?
The first step is heating 2 tablespoons of olive oil and sauteing sliced garlic, onion, celery, and carrot.
What makes this sauce a marinara?
It uses a base of plum tomatoes, garlic, onion, and herbs simmered into a rich sauce.
Are there any specific dietary tags for this recipe?
The tags include Italian, meatballs, marinara sauce, and traditional.
How should I season the sauce?
Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste before bringing it to a boil.
What is the ingredient count for this recipe?
There are 14 ingredients in this recipe.
Is there a specific way to arrange the meatballs on the serving platter?
Place them on the platter and drizzle some extra sauce over them before serving.