Juicy Beef Meatballs Marinara (Printable)
Tender beef meatballs cooked in a flavorful marinara sauce, perfect for a hearty meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ For the Meatballs
01 - 1.1 lb ground beef
02 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
03 - 1/4 cup whole milk
04 - 1 large egg
05 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tbsp dried)
08 - 1 tsp salt
09 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
→ For the Marinara Sauce
10 - 2 tbsp olive oil
11 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
12 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
13 - 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
14 - 1 tsp dried oregano
15 - 1 tsp dried basil
16 - 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
17 - 1 tsp sugar
18 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ To Serve (Optional)
19 - Fresh basil leaves
20 - Extra grated Parmesan
21 - Cooked spaghetti or crusty bread
# Directions:
01 - In a large bowl, combine breadcrumbs and milk. Let soak for 2 minutes to absorb liquid.
02 - Add ground beef, egg, Parmesan, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper to the breadcrumb mixture. Mix gently until just combined—do not overmix to maintain tenderness.
03 - Shape mixture into 16 equal-sized meatballs, rolling gently between palms to form uniform spheres.
04 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs in batches, browning on all sides for about 5–6 minutes total. Remove and set aside—interior does not need to be fully cooked.
05 - In the same skillet, add remaining tablespoon olive oil. Sauté onion until soft and translucent, 3–4 minutes.
06 - Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
07 - Stir in crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
08 - Return browned meatballs to the sauce, cover, and simmer on low heat for 20–25 minutes, turning once halfway through, until meatballs are cooked through and sauce has thickened.
09 - Serve hot over spaghetti, topped with fresh basil leaves and extra grated Parmesan, or accompany with crusty bread for dipping.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The milk soaked breadcrumbs create the most tender meatball youve ever bitten into
- Simmering them directly in the sauce means every bite is infused with marinara magic
02 -
- Overmixing the meat creates tough dense meatballs so handle the mixture as little as possible
- Browning meatballs first locks in flavor even though they finish cooking in the sauce
03 -
- Use a small ice cream scoop to create perfectly uniform meatballs every time
- Let the meatballs rest in the sauce off heat for 10 minutes before serving