Best 6 Italian Meat Sauce With Meatballs Recipes

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Indulge in a delightful culinary journey with our authentic Italian Meat Sauce with Meatballs recipe. This classic dish, also known as "Ragù alla Bolognese," is a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds and transport you to the heart of Italy. With this easy-to-follow recipe, you can recreate this beloved sauce and meatballs in your own kitchen. We provide detailed instructions, cooking tips, and variations to suit your preferences.

In addition to the classic meat sauce with meatballs, this article offers a collection of other enticing recipes to satisfy your Italian cravings. Treat yourself to our savory Mushroom Meatballs in Marinara Sauce, a vegetarian alternative packed with umami flavor. For a quick and comforting meal, try our One-Pot Italian Sausage and Tortellini Soup, a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for busy weeknights. If you're craving something lighter, our Italian Sausage and Zucchini Skillet is a delightful combination of fresh zucchini, juicy sausage, and tangy tomatoes.

And for those who love their pasta, we have you covered. Our Italian Sausage Pasta Bake is a cheesy, saucy delight that's sure to be a family favorite. For a lighter option, our Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta is a refreshing and flavorful dish that's perfect for a summer meal. And if you're looking for something truly special, our Creamy Pesto Pasta with Grilled Chicken is an elegant and satisfying dish that will impress your guests.

So, prepare your taste buds for a delectable adventure as we guide you through these authentic Italian recipes. Let your kitchen be filled with the aromas of simmering sauces, savory meatballs, and fresh herbs. Buon Appetito!

Let's cook with our recipes!

REAL MEATBALLS AND SPAGHETTI



Real Meatballs and Spaghetti image

For homemade Italian comfort, make Ina Garten's Real Meatballs and Spaghetti recipe from Barefoot Contessa on Food Network, starring veal, pork and beef.

Provided by Ina Garten

Categories     main-dish

Time 2h

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 23

1/2 pound ground veal
1/2 pound ground pork
1 pound ground beef
1 cup fresh white bread crumbs (4 slices, crusts removed)
1/4 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 extra-large egg, beaten
Vegetable oil
Olive oil
1 tablespoon good olive oil
1 cup chopped yellow onion (1 onion)
1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/2 cup good red wine, such as Chianti
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, or plum tomatoes in puree, chopped
1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 pounds spaghetti, cooked according to package directions
Freshly grated Parmesan

Steps:

  • Place the ground meats, both bread crumbs, parsley, Parmesan, salt, pepper, nutmeg, egg, and 3/4 cup warm water in a bowl. Combine very lightly with a fork. Using your hands, lightly form the mixture into 2-inch meatballs. You will have 14 to 16 meatballs.
  • Pour equal amounts of vegetable oil and olive oil into a large (12-inch) skillet to a depth of 1/4-inch. Heat the oil. Very carefully, in batches, place the meatballs in the oil and brown them well on all sides over medium-low heat, turning carefully with a spatula or a fork. This should take about 10 minutes for each batch. Don't crowd the meatballs. Remove the meatballs to a plate covered with paper towels. Discard the oil but don't clean the pan.
  • For the sauce, heat the olive oil in the same pan. Add the onion and saute over medium heat until translucent, 5 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the wine and cook on high heat, scraping up all the brown bits in the pan, until almost all the liquid evaporates, about 3 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, parsley, salt, and pepper.
  • Return the meatballs to the sauce, cover, and simmer on the lowest heat for 25 to 30 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through. Serve hot on cooked spaghetti and pass the grated Parmesan.

ITALIAN MEATBALLS IN TOMATO SAUCE



Italian Meatballs in Tomato Sauce image

Make and share this Italian Meatballs in Tomato Sauce recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Julesong

Categories     Meat

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 23

3/4 cup onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/3 cup fresh parsley, minced
1 teaspoon dried basil, crumbled (or 3 tablespoons minced fresh basil)
28 ounces tomatoes, crushed
6 ounces tomato paste
1/2 cup chicken stock
1/4 cup dry red wine
1 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons romano cheese, freshly grated
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled
2 slices bread, soaked in broth or milk (with liquid squeezed from it)
1 lb chuck, ground
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup romano cheese, freshly grated
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground ( to taste)
1/4 cup olive oil

Steps:

  • Make the sauce: in a heavy saucepan cook the onion and the garlic in the oil over low heat, stirring, for 2 minutes; add parsley, basil, tomatoes, tomato paste, stock, wine, sugar, romano, salt, and oregano, and simmer the sauce, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes.
  • While sauce is cooking, prepare the meatballs: in a large bowl combine bread (with liquid squeezed from it), chuck (it's really good if you grind your own!), eggs, romano, parsley, garlic, the oregano, salt, and pepper; mix well and form into 8 meatballs.
  • In a large skillet brown the meatballs in the oil over high heat, turning them often; make sure to not crowd them in the pan, otherwise they won't brown properly.
  • Transfer the browned meatballs to the sauce with a slotted spoon and simmer the mixture, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes.
  • You can serve them with your favorite pasta right away, but these improve in flavor if they're cooled and chilled, covered, and refrigerated overnight or up to 2 days before serving.

ITALIAN MEAT SAUCE WITH MEATBALLS



Italian Meat Sauce with Meatballs image

This chunky, meaty sauce has a bit of heat from the sausage and red pepper. It's delicious served over pasta.-Jane McMillan, Dania Beach

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 4h40m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 pound bulk hot Italian sausage
1 medium onion, chopped
1 small green pepper, chopped
12 frozen fully cooked Italian meatballs (1/2 ounce each), thawed and halved
2 cans (15 ounces each) tomato sauce
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1/3 cup tomato paste
1/4 cup grated Parmesan and Romano cheese blend
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
Hot cooked pasta

Steps:

  • In a large skillet, cook the sausage, onion and pepper over medium heat until sausage is no longer pink; drain. Transfer to a 4-qt. slow cooker. Add the meatballs, tomato sauce, tomatoes, tomato paste, Parmesan cheese blend, garlic and seasonings. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until hot and bubbly., Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Cook 15 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Serve with pasta.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 326 calories, Fat 21g fat (9g saturated fat), Cholesterol 55mg cholesterol, Sodium 1287mg sodium, Carbohydrate 16g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 21g protein.

SLOW-COOKER ITALIAN MEATBALLS



Slow-Cooker Italian Meatballs image

These meatballs taste just like your nonna's without any pre-cooking or tending to-just throw them in the slow cooker with the rest of the ingredients. The recipe makes enough meatballs and sauce to serve with two pounds of pasta. They are also delicious over polenta, stuffed into sub rolls or as a pizza topping.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 8h20m

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 19

Two 28-ounce cans whole plum tomatoes
One 6-ounce can tomato paste
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
3 cloves garlic, crushed and peeled
2 bay leaves
Kosher salt
1 small onion, cut into chunks
1 small carrot, cut into chunks
1 celery stalk, cut into chunks
1/2 cup fresh Italian parsley leaves
2 cloves garlic, crushed and peeled
1 pound 90 percent lean ground beef
1 pound ground pork
2 large eggs
3/4 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
Kosher salt

Steps:

  • For the sauce: Pour the tomatoes into a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker and crush by hand. Stir in the tomato paste, olive oil, oregano, pepper flakes, garlic, bay leaves and 2 teaspoons salt.
  • For the meatballs: Place the onions, carrots, celery, parsley and garlic in a food processor and pulse to make a paste. Transfer to a large bowl and add the beef, pork, eggs, breadcrumbs, Parmesan and 1 teaspoon salt. Form into 1 1/2-inch meatballs (you should get about 20 to 24) and nestle into the sauce in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 4 to 5 hours or low for 7 to 8 hours. Discard the bay leaves before serving.

ITALIAN SPAGHETTI SAUCE WITH MEATBALLS



Italian Spaghetti Sauce with Meatballs image

This is a recipe I got from my mother years ago -- it's great.

Provided by Jeremy

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     Pasta Sauce Recipes     Tomato

Time 2h20m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 pound lean ground beef
1 cup fresh bread crumbs
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
1 egg, beaten
¾ cup chopped onion
5 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup olive oil
2 (28 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 bay leaf
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
¾ teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, parsley, Parmesan, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, garlic powder and beaten egg. Mix well and form into 12 balls. Store, covered, in refrigerator until needed.
  • In a large saucepan over medium heat, saute onion and garlic in olive oil until onion is translucent. Stir in tomatoes, salt, sugar and bay leaf. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 90 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, basil, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and meatballs and simmer 30 minutes more. Serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 346.6 calories, Carbohydrate 23 g, Cholesterol 77.4 mg, Fat 21.2 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Protein 18.9 g, SaturatedFat 5.9 g, Sodium 1492.5 mg, Sugar 11.1 g

ITALIAN SPAGHETTI SAUCE WITH MEATBALLS



Italian Spaghetti Sauce With Meatballs image

Make and share this Italian Spaghetti Sauce With Meatballs recipe from Food.com.

Provided by CHEF GRPA

Categories     Meatballs

Time 2h20m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 lb lean ground beef
1 cup fresh breadcrumb
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1 egg, beaten
3/4 cup chopped onion
5 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup olive oil
2 (28 ounce) cans whole canned tomatoes
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 bay leaf
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
3/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, parsley, Parmesan, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, garlic powder and beaten egg. Mix well and form into 12 balls. Store, covered, in refrigerator until needed.
  • In a large saucepan over medium heat, saute onion and garlic in olive oil until onion is translucent. Stir in tomatoes, salt, sugar and bay leaf. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 90 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, basil, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and meatballs and simmer 30 minutes more. Serve.
  • My update Note: I was leary of making this without first pre-cooking the meatballs, but this is by far the best spaghetti and meatballs I have ever made. The meatballs ended up a nice brown color, they were not over cooked and I think putting them in before browning allowed some of the meat flavor to seep into the sauce.
  • #2 Instead of using all ground beef, I opted to use a combination of ground pork and ground beef (12 oz ground beef, 4 oz ground pork) -instead of plain bread crumbs, I used pre-seasoned breadcrumbs, I increased the parmesan cheese to 4 oz. With the sauce, instead of using 2 (28 oz) cans of whole tomatoes, I used 1 (28 oz can) of whole tomatoes, and then two smaller cans (14 oz) of crushed tomatoes. After simmering the sauce, I ran half of it through the blender to make it smoother. I also added a small can of tomato sauce in addition to the tomato paste, plus for added flavour I added 1 tsp italian seasoning, 1/2 tsp basil, and 1 tsp garlic powder.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 384.4, Fat 19.1, SaturatedFat 5, Cholesterol 80.9, Sodium 1591.2, Carbohydrate 32.9, Fiber 5.2, Sugar 12.6, Protein 22.7

Tips:

  • Choose high-quality ingredients: Use fresh, ripe tomatoes, good quality ground beef, and flavorful herbs and spices.
  • Brown the beef and meatballs thoroughly: This will help to develop flavor and prevent the meat from becoming dry.
  • Simmer the sauce for at least 30 minutes: This will allow the flavors to meld and develop.
  • Add a touch of sweetness: A little bit of sugar or honey can help to balance out the acidity of the tomatoes.
  • Serve with your favorite pasta: This sauce is perfect with spaghetti, penne, or any other type of pasta.

Conclusion:

This Italian meat sauce with meatballs is a classic dish that is sure to please everyone at your table. It is hearty, flavorful, and easy to make. So next time you are looking for a delicious and comforting meal, give this recipe a try.

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