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Home / Recipes
1 hour 10 minutes
4.8 from 5 votes
5 Comments

Italian Meatballs with Marinara Sauce

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by: Joanna Cismaru
11.17.12
Updated: 06.03.20

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These Italian Meatballs with Marinara Sauce are a classic comfort food and everyone’s favorite. 

Close up of Italian Meatballs with Marinara Sauce

The weather has been wonderful here in Calgary this week, which is really nice after all the snow we had last week. During the winter, one of my favorite things to eat are meatballs, not sure why but I associate meatballs with winter food. They are a classic comfort food.

I have been craving some meatballs with marinara sauce for a long time now, so I finally decided to make them. We make meatballs quite often at my house, but rarely with any type of sauce. But I’ve been wanting these meatballs so I can have them with some great mashed potatoes. These meatballs are pretty simple to make but they are full of flavor.

You can also use any type of ground meat you want, I used a pound of pork and half a pound of beef. The meatballs turned out very tender and delicious.

Italian Meatballs with Marinara Sauce in a bowl

If you guys love this recipe, and most importantly make it yourselves, please let us know. Take a picture and tag it #jocooks on Instagram so we can see it. I always love to see what you guys come up with!

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close up shot of a bowl full of italian meatballs with marinara sauce

Italian Meatballs with Marinara Sauce

4.8 from 5 votes
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 50 mins
Total: 1 hr 10 mins
Author: Joanna Cismaru
Serves: 6
Print Pin Rate
These Italian Meatballs with Marinara Sauce are a classic comfort food and everyone's favorite. 

Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 1 lb ground pork
  • 1/2 lb ground beef
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder optional
  • 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp pepper or to taste
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 tsp basil dry

Sauce

  • 3 tbsp butter unsalted
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 2 1/2 cups marinara sauce I used store bought
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1/2 cup red wine
  • 1/4 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp pepper or to taste
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 F degrees.
  • Prepare a cookie baking sheet by pouring half a cup of the marinara sauce and spread it evenly over the surface.
  • In a large bowl mix all meatball ingredients well so that everything is well incorporated. Shape into meatballs.Place the meatballs on the baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes.
  • In the meantime melt the butter in a large sauce pan and add chopped onion and saute until onion is translucent. Add chopped garlic and saute for another minute, making sure garlic doesn't burn. Add marinara sauce and the rest of the sauce ingredients and stir. Add meatballs and make sure toss them around a bit to make sure they are fully covered in sauce. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for around 30 minutes.
  • Serve with mashed potatoes or your favorite side dish.

Recipe Notes

Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 456kcal (23%)Carbohydrates: 16g (5%)Protein: 27g (54%)Fat: 29g (45%)Saturated Fat: 13g (81%)Cholesterol: 128mg (43%)Sodium: 1113mg (48%)Potassium: 783mg (22%)Fiber: 2g (8%)Sugar: 7g (8%)Vitamin A: 890IU (18%)Vitamin C: 9.5mg (12%)Calcium: 168mg (17%)Iron: 3.4mg (19%)
Course:Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine:Italian
Keyword:italian meatballs
Tried this recipe? Rate it belowtag @jocooks on instagram and hashtag it #jocooks!
Nutrition Facts
Italian Meatballs with Marinara Sauce
Amount Per Serving
Calories 456 Calories from Fat 261
% Daily Value*
Fat 29g45%
Saturated Fat 13g81%
Cholesterol 128mg43%
Sodium 1113mg48%
Potassium 783mg22%
Carbohydrates 16g5%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 7g8%
Protein 27g54%
Vitamin A 890IU18%
Vitamin C 9.5mg12%
Calcium 168mg17%
Iron 3.4mg19%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Meet Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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Comments

  1. Debbie Smith says

    November 17, 2016 at 7:13 pm

    5 stars
    Excellent recipe! Everybody here loved it – we’ll definitely be making it regularly. Love your recipes, Jo! So many have been incorporated into our menu. 🙂

    Reply
    • Fenne Kieken says

      November 17, 2016 at 8:24 pm

      Thanks Debbie, I love to hear back from followers who try the recipes and enjoy them. Have you tried the swedish meatballs yet? Yum!

      Reply
  2. Carol says

    August 7, 2016 at 3:06 pm

    5 stars
    This looks delicious, just like the dinner had during my culinary tour of the Amalfi Coast with Delectable Destinations.

    Reply
  3. Jenny says

    October 3, 2014 at 1:12 am

    I have tried many times to make meatballs….without success. I made these and omg they were amazing….thank you so much Jo, your the best.

    Reply
    • jo says

      October 3, 2014 at 1:46 am

      Thank you Jenny! I’m so glad you liked them 🙂

      Reply

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I'm Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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