Juicy Italian-American Meatballs in Rich Tomato Sauce

Name: Juicy Italian-American Meatballs in Rich Tomato Sauce
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1/2 pound ground pork; 1 cup breadcrumbs; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 large egg, lightly beaten; 1/2 cup milk; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 large onion, chopped; 2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes; 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/2 teaspoon dried basil; 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional); 1 tablespoon sugar; Salt and pepper to taste

Recipe by Zideons

Published January 09, 2026

These classic Italian-American meatballs are incredibly tender and flavorful, simmered in a homemade tomato sauce until perfectly infused with deliciousness. They're perfect for serving over pasta, in meatball subs, or as a hearty appetizer.

AI-Generated Recipe Disclaimer:
This recipe was generated by artificial intelligence and may not be fully accurate. Always use your best judgment, follow proper food safety practices, and adjust ingredients or cooking methods as needed. MealMagX is not responsible for cooking outcomes, dietary reactions, or food safety issues.

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic, egg, milk, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Do not overmix.

Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs.

Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Brown the meatballs in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Remove the meatballs from the pot and set aside.

Add the chopped onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.

Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), and sugar. Bring to a simmer.

Gently add the browned meatballs to the sauce. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 1 hour, or up to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce has thickened.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve hot over pasta, in meatball subs, or as desired.

Final Notes

These meatballs are best served hot, allowing the rich tomato sauce to fully coat your pasta or bread. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for an extra touch of flavor and visual appeal. Enjoy!

About the Author

Zideons

Cooking is my passion. I love blogging and sharing my creative recipes with the world. With my busy lifestyle, it can be challenging to create new recipes, write posts, and ensure everything is formatted and presented well. I started MealMagX for this very reason—for those who share my passion for creative cooking but may not have the time to maintain a blog.

Juicy Italian-American Meatballs in Rich Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

Instructions

Final Notes

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About the Author

Zideons

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