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    The Yummy Bowl » Recipes » Beef

    Pork and Beef Meatballs With Tomato Sauce

    Jun 7, 2021 · Modified: Nov 18, 2023 by Julia | The Yummy Bowl · This post contains paid affiliate links · 9 Comments

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    Jump to Recipe
    meatballs in tomato sauce pin image

    Easy oven-baked meatballs made with both ground pork and beef and then left to simmer in homemade Italian tomato sauce. Everyone loves a good saucy meatballs dish for Potlucks!

    oven baked meatballs simmering in tomato sauce in a black skillet

    If you love beef recipes you should definitely try these readers' favorite recipes: Beef Enchilada Casserole, Hamburger Casserole, Slow Cooker Massaman Curry and Ground Beef And Cabbage.

    Jump To
    • Instructions
    • Serving
    • Readers Feedback
    • Tips
    • Serving suggestions
    • FAQs
    • Easy Beef Recipes
    • Recipe
    • Comments

    Instructions

    Preheat oven to 375 F. 

    In a large bowl mix together garlic powder, onion powder, egg, parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper until combined.

    flatlay shot of seasonings, parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs and egg mixed in a large transparent glass bowl
    flatlay shot of a ground beef and pork mixed along with seasonings in a large glass transparent bowl

    Add pork and beef, mix to combine (for better results, try mixing with your hands).

    Prepare a small bowl with warm water to dip your hands in. Roll the mixture between your hands into medium-sized balls, dipping your hands in water after each meatball. You should end up with 24 or if rolled into smaller balls, about 28 meatballs.

    Transfer to baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil, and bake for 25 minutes.

    flatlay shot of 24 raw rolled meatballs on a baking sheet lined with foil

    Meanwhile, prepare the marinara sauce by combining all the ingredients in a large pan over low-medium heat. Let simmer for 5-10 minutes. 

    shot of a simmering homemade tomato sauce in a large black skillet

    When meatballs are done, add them to the marinara sauce and let simmer over low-medium heat for 1 hour. Serve over pasta or rice and your favorite side salads.

    Serving

    The best option is to stick with the classic sides like pasta/spaghetti, baked potato, mashed potatoes or plain rice and a bowl of simple fresh salad. 

    stacked meatballs in tomato sauce on a pile of spaghetti

    If you like pork and beef recipes be sure to check out my other delicious and budget-friendly meals such as Ground Beef and Cabbage, Easy Pork Tenderloin, Beef Enchilada Casserole or simply type the words ''pork'', ''beef'' into the search bar.

    Readers Feedback

    What The Yummy Bowl fans are saying across different platforms:

    Husband and I both devoured them on spaghetti. Estelle, Pinterest

    Tips

    • Onion and garlic powder - for more texture sub with half medium white/brown onion (small dice), and 1 medium-large garlic clove (crushed).
    • Beef and pork meatballs substitute - use ground chicken or turkey instead (bake for 5-10 minutes less and then let simmer in the pan along with the sauce as instructed). Or you can simply make the meatballs only with ground pork as well.
    • Don’t overcook - A good rule of thumb here is to undercook the meatballs and let them simmer in tomato sauce for longer than 1 hour. If overcooked, meatballs will lose their texture and tenderness. 
    • Use your hands for shaping – in my opinion, the easiest way and gives far the best results when it comes to perfectly formed round meatballs. 
    • Store - Best consumed immediately but you can also let the meatballs cool and then place in an airtight glass container along with some sauce and pop into the fridge (up to a week) or freezer (2-3 months). 
    stacked meatballs in tomato sauce on a pile of spaghetti, bite shot of a top centered meatball

    Serving suggestions

    If you like asparagus as much as I do, prepare this roasted Asparagus with Parmesan Cheese to pair with the meatballs. Or try one of these:

    • Mashed Cauliflower and Potatoes
    • Cabbage and Cucumber Salad With Dill
    • Lime Cilantro Rice
    • Garlic Mashed Potatoes With Cream Cheese
    • Gluten Free Homemade Tater Tots
    • Sweet Potato Fries With Truffle Oil
    • Homemade Parmesan Truffle Fries

    FAQs

    Can you cook raw meatballs in tomato sauce?

    If you don't want to bake them first that's fine, I think it is even easier to cook them in a pan. Roll the meatballs (you'll need to cook them in batches), cook on medium-high heat over the stovetop until golden brown, and then add to the sauce to simmer.

    Is it better to bake or fry meatballs?

    Baking/roasting food is usually a slightly healthier way of cooking than frying. However, if you fry the meatballs in a pan on medium heat (just until they get a nice golden brown color) and simmer after in sauce for at least 1 hour will still be a healthier option and will result in soft and flavorful meatballs. Be sure to use high-quality vegetable oil (I use grapeseed oil instead of olive or other oils as it has a higher smoke point).

    I would appreciate it so much if you left a comment about this recipe below! Subscribe to join the TYB newsletter and receive free recipes straight to your inbox! Let's connect via Facebook, IG & Pinterest!

    Easy Beef Recipes

    • Slow Cooker Massaman Beef Curry
    • Beef Meatballs
    • Beef Enchilada Casserole
    • Slow Cooker Pulled Beef
    • Beef Chimichangas
    • Hamburger Foil Packets

    Recipe

    oven baked meatballs simmering in tomato sauce in a black skillet

    Pork and Beef Meatballs With Tomato Sauce

    Easy oven baked meatballs made with both ground pork and beef and then left to simmer in homemade italian tomato sauce. Guaranteed these meatballs to become your family's favorite.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin
    Author: Julia | The Yummy Bowl
    Course: Main Course
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Simmer: 1 hour hour
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 45 minutes minutes
    Servings: 24 meatballs
    Calories: 95kcal

    INGREDIENTS

    Meatballs

    • 1 pound ground pork
    • 1 pound ground beef
    • 1 tablespoon onion powder
    • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
    • 1 large egg
    • ½ cup parmesan cheese + more for serving (grated )
    • ¼ heaping cup of gluten-free panko breadcrumbs
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper

    Tomato Sauce

    • 2 cups Beef or vegetable broth
    • 2 15 oz can high quality tomato puree
    • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
    • 1 teaspoon dried basil
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • ½ teaspoon salt or more to taste
    • ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper
    • 1 ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (gluten free)
    • 2 tablespoon dark brown sugar

    INSTRUCTIONS

    • In a large bowl mix garlic powder, onion powder, egg, parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper until combined.
    • Preheat oven to 375 F.
    • Add pork and beef, mix to combine (for better results, try mixing with your hands).
    • Prepare a small bowl with warm water to dip your hands in. Roll the mixture between your hands into medium-sized balls, dipping your hand in water after each meatball. You should end up with 24 or if rolled into smaller balls, about 28 meatballs.
    • Transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil, and bake for 25 minutes.
    • Meanwhile, prepare the marinara sauce by combining all the ingredients in a large pan over low-medium heat. Let simmer for 5-10 minutes.
    • When meatballs are done, add them to the marinara sauce and let simmer over low-medium heat for 1 hour. Serve over pasta or rice and your favorite side salads.
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Video

    NOTES

    • Nutrition - 95 kcal per meatball 
    • Onion and garlic powder - for more texture sub with half medium white/brown onion (small dice), and 1 medium-large garlic clove (crushed).
    • Substitute beef and pork with ground chicken or turkey (bake for 5-10 minutes less and then let simmer in the pan along with the sauce as instructed). Or you can simply make the meatballs only with ground pork.
    • Use your hands for shaping – in my opinion, the easiest way and gives far the best results when it comes to perfectly formed round meatballs. 

    PRIVATE NOTES

    Click here to add your own private notes.
    Nutrition Facts
    Pork and Beef Meatballs With Tomato Sauce
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 95
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    (Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Julia

      June 09, 2021 at 8:43 pm

      5 stars
      Perfect meatballs in marinara sauce!

      Reply
    2. LD

      January 02, 2022 at 7:26 pm

      5 stars
      I only made the meatballs and they were so tasty!!

      Reply
      • Julia | The Yummy Bowl

        January 05, 2022 at 2:49 pm

        Thank you so much LD! They will be even more tastier once simmered and softened in the sauce 🙂

        Reply
    3. Jill

      January 21, 2023 at 8:05 pm

      Couldn’t see where it suggests how many it’s for?

      Reply
      • Julia | The Yummy Bowl

        January 22, 2023 at 1:10 pm

        Jill, it makes 24 meatballs, written above the ingredients in the recipe card. You can easily adjust the quantity to less if you wish.

        Reply
    4. Blackfinga

      March 07, 2023 at 2:19 am

      I didn't see any mention of when to put the parmesan in, so I rolled the meatballs in it before cooking. Came out great!!

      Reply
      • Julia | The Yummy Bowl

        June 21, 2023 at 11:10 pm

        Thats delicious too, we usually mix it in the filling.

        Reply
    5. Rory O'Toole

      April 29, 2023 at 5:17 pm

      Hi, just double checking before I start this, puree not passata

      Reply
      • Julia | The Yummy Bowl

        May 23, 2023 at 7:40 pm

        You can actually use both here. Puree will have more richer flavor though.

        Reply

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