Description
Tender, flavor-packed meatballs with melted cheese, nestled in a velvety marinara sauce—a comforting Italian classic.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ pound ground pork
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Combine in a large bowl ground beef, ground pork, bread crumbs, egg, grated Parmesan, ½ cup mozzarella, garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Mix until all ingredients are well combined.
- Shape using your hands to form meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until they are browned and cooked through.
- Heat the marinara sauce in a saucepan over medium heat. Simmer for about 10-15 minutes.
- Add the cooked meatballs to the simmering marinara sauce. Let them simmer together for an additional 5-10 minutes.
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the meatballs and let it melt for a couple of minutes.
- Remove from heat and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
For added moisture, consider adding a splash of milk or ricotta to the meat mixture. Use fresh herbs for enhanced flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: main course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg