budgetbytes4.9
Homemade Meatballs Recipe
These easy homemade meatballs are freezer-friendly and versatile. Keep a batch in the freezer for quick weeknight dinners later!
👥 8 Servings⏱️ Prep & Cook: 55 min⏳ Prep: 25 min🔥 Cook: 30 min👤 Beth Moncel📖 budgetbytes
🥘 Ingredients
Check off ingredients as you prepare them:
🍳 Cookware
- ●bowl
- ●whisk
- ●oven
- ●baking sheet
- ●pot
- ●skillet
- ●sauce pot
📝 Preparation Steps
1
Mix
2
In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. In a separate small bowl, lightly whisk the two eggs.
¼ tsp salt ($0.02)salt (or to taste, $0.03)1 tsplarge eggs ($1.58**)2
3
Combine
4
Add the breadcrumb mixture, eggs, milk, Italian sausage, and ground beef to a large bowl. Use your hands to mix the ingredients together until evenly combined. Avoid over mixing the meat.
large eggs ($1.58**)2
5
Rest
6
Let the meatball mixture rest for five minutes to allow the breadcrumbs time to soften. Divide and shape the meat into about 32 balls, approximately 2 Tbsp in volume each.
7
Oven Cooking Instructions
8
Preheat the oven to 400ºF / 200C / 180 C fan or Gas Mark 6. Line a baking sheet with parchment. Place the meatballs on the baking sheet about one inch apart from each other.
9
Bake for about ⏱️ 15 minutes, or until lightly browned.
10
Simmer
11
Once browned, transfer them to a pot of red sauce (see below) and simmer for five more minutes in the sauce. If not using a red sauce, add an additional ⏱️ 3-5 minutes to the bake time, or until they're cooked through (internal temp of 160°F).
12
Stovetop Cooking Instructions
13
Heat
14
Add a tablespoon of cooking oil to a large skillet and heat over medium. Once hot, swirl the oil to coat the surface of the skillet. Add half of the meatballs to the skillet.
15
Cook them, turning every couple of minutes, until browned on all sides and cooked through (internal temp of 160°F/71C). Repeat with the second batch.
16
Simmer
17
Once cooked, transfer them to a pot of red sauce (see below) and simmer for a few minutes more before serving, if desired.
18
Marinara Sauce Instructions
19
Saute
20
Meanwhile, make your marinara sauce (optional)****. Start by dicing the onion and mincing the garlic. Add both to a sauce pot with the olive oil and cook over medium heat, stirring now and then, until the onions are soft and translucent, about ⏱️ 5 minutes.
olive oil ($0.44)2 Tbsp
21
Stir in the tomato paste and let it cook for another 3 to ⏱️ 5 minutes, stirring often, until it darkens slightly. This step helps mellow the acidity and brings out a subtle sweetness.
tomato paste ($0.18)2 Tbsp
22
Combine
23
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, then add the basil, oregano, brown sugar, and salt. Stir well, making sure to scrape up any bits of tomato paste stuck to the bottom of the pot.
brown sugar (optional, $0.02)1 tsp¼ tsp salt ($0.02)salt (or to taste, $0.03)1 tsptomato paste ($0.18)2 Tbsp
24
Simmer
25
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then lower the heat to medium-low. Partially cover the pot and let it simmer for about ⏱️ 30 minutes, giving it a stir every so often.
26
Taste
27
After ⏱️ 30 minutes, give the sauce a taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. If it still tastes a little sharp, let it simmer longer or add a touch more sugar.
28
Serve
29
Add the cooked meatballs and simmer for a few more minutes until they're fully cooked through (internal temp of 160°F/71C). Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
calories
490 kcal
fat Content
36 g
serving Size
1 serving (with sauce)
fiber Content
3 g
sodium Content
1159 mg
protein Content
24 g
carbohydrate Content
16 g
Reviews & Ratings
Share your thoughts and feedback about this recipe
Write a Review
Community Feedback
0 ReviewsLoading reviews...