Name: Italian Baked Meatballs in Tomato-Herb Sauce
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: US
Ingredients: 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste, divided; 1 large egg; 2 teaspoons dried basil, divided; 2 teaspoons dried oregano, divided; 0.5 teaspoon onion powder; 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder; 0.5 teaspoon black pepper; 1.5 cups fresh bread crumbs; 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 0.5 cup golden raisins, coarsely chopped; 1.25 pounds lean ground beef or ground turkey (93% lean); 2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes, undrained; 1 teaspoon granulated sugar; 0.5 teaspoon salt; Cooked pasta, for serving

Savor the rustic charm of homemade baked meatballs, simmered in a vibrant tomato and herb sauce. This comforting dish, served over your favorite pasta, is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that brings the warmth of Italian-inspired cuisine to your table.

Follow The Directions

01

Step

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease with cooking spray. (5 minutes)

02

Step

In a large bowl, combine half of the tomato paste, egg, 1 teaspoon of basil, 1 teaspoon of oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, and pepper. Stir well to combine. (3 minutes)

03

Step

Add the fresh bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and chopped golden raisins to the bowl. Mix until just combined. (2 minutes)

04

Step

Gently mix in the ground beef or turkey with your hands or a large spoon until the mixture is evenly distributed. Be careful not to overmix. (5 minutes)

05

Step

Shape the mixture into approximately 16 meatballs, each about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet. (10 minutes)

06

Step

Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the meatballs are browned and cooked through. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). (20 minutes)

07

Step

While the meatballs are baking, prepare the tomato herb sauce. In a large saucepan, combine the remaining tomato paste, diced tomatoes, the remaining 1 teaspoon of oregano, the remaining 1 teaspoon of basil, sugar, and salt. (5 minutes)

08

Step

Bring the sauce to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. (10 minutes)

09

Step

Gently add the baked meatballs to the simmering tomato sauce. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together beautifully. (5 minutes)

10

Step

Serve the meatballs and sauce over your favorite cooked pasta. Garnish with extra grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Enjoy! (2 minutes)

For extra flavor, try browning the meatballs in a skillet before baking to develop a deeper caramelized crust.
If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can use an immersion blender to partially blend the sauce before adding the meatballs.
Feel free to add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a subtle kick of heat.
For richer flavor, consider using a combination of ground beef, pork, and veal.
Serve with a side of crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.