“With Ground Beef & Italian Pork Sausage”
Italian Meatballs with Homemade Tomato Sauce
Introduction
These Italian meatballs combine ground beef and sweet Italian pork sausage with Parmesan, garlic, parsley, basil and eggs. The meatballs are served with a rich homemade tomato sauce made with San Marzano tomatoes, tomato paste, onion, garlic and Italian herbs for a hearty Italian-style family dinner.
Watch the Video
Watch Vito’s step-by-step video to see how he prepares the Italian meatballs and homemade tomato sauce, including the mixing, shaping and cooking process.
Recipe Information
Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Course: Main Course / Meatballs / Pasta
Cuisine: Italian
Difficulty: Medium
What Makes These Italian Meatballs Different?
Vito’s meatballs combine ground beef with sweet Italian pork sausage for a rich and flavorful texture. Parmesan, garlic, parsley and fresh basil add classic Italian flavors, while the homemade San Marzano tomato sauce brings everything together.
Ingredients for Italian Meatballs with Homemade Tomato Sauce
For the Tomato Sauce
- 2 12 oz cans San Marzano Whole Tomatoes Hand Crushed
- 2 6oz cans Tomato Paste
- 1 Medium White Onion Finely Chopped & sautéed
- 1/2 blub Fresh Garlic Finely Chopped & sautéed
- 2 Sweet Italian Sausages Cut open/ No skin
- 1 Fresh basil
- 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
- 1 pinch Salt
- 1 pinch Pepper
- 2 tbs Sugar
For the Meatballs
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- 2 Sweet Italian pork sausage Cut open/No skin
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese Shredded
- 1/2 blub Fresh Garlic Finely Chopped
- 3 – 4 Eggs
- 1/3 to 1/2 cup Milk
- 3/4 bunch Fresh Italian Parsley Finely Chopped
- 6 – 7 leaves Fresh Basil Finely Chopped
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 pinch Pepper
How to Make Italian Meatballs with Tomato Sauce
1. Prepare the Tomato Sauce
Add the hand-crushed San Marzano tomatoes, tomato paste, sautéed onion and garlic, Italian seasoning, basil, salt, pepper and sugar to a large pot.
2. Prepare the Meatball Mixture
Combine ground beef and sweet Italian pork sausage with Parmesan, garlic, eggs, milk, parsley, basil, salt and pepper. Mix until the ingredients are evenly combined.
3. Shape the Meatballs
Form the mixture into evenly sized meatballs. Keeping them similar in size helps them cook evenly.
4. Cook the Meatballs
Cook the meatballs according to Vito’s method shown in the video until browned and cooked through.
5. Simmer in the Tomato Sauce
Add the cooked meatballs to the homemade tomato sauce and allow them to simmer so they absorb the flavors of the sauce.
6. Serve
Serve the Italian meatballs with pasta, polenta or crusty Italian bread. Finish with Parmesan and fresh basil if desired.
What Are Italian Meatballs Made Of?
Italian meatballs can vary by region and family recipe. Vito’s version uses a combination of ground beef and Italian pork sausage, along with Parmesan, eggs, garlic, parsley, basil and seasonings.
What Is Sugo?
Sugo is an Italian term commonly used for a rich sauce or gravy served with pasta or other dishes. In this recipe, the sugo is a rustic tomato sauce made with San Marzano tomatoes, tomato paste, onion, garlic and Italian herbs.
Tips for Making Italian Meatballs
- Mix the meat mixture gently to help keep the meatballs tender.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for better flavor.
- Keep the meatballs a similar size so they cook evenly.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when browning the meatballs.
- Allow the meatballs to simmer in the sauce so the flavors develop.
- Use good-quality San Marzano tomatoes for the tomato sauce.
- Serve with pasta, polenta or crusty bread.
What to Serve with Italian Meatballs
These homemade Italian meatballs can be served in several ways depending on the meal.
- Spaghetti or other pasta
- Polenta
- Crusty Italian bread
- Garlic bread
- A simple green salad
- Roasted vegetables
- More meat recipes
Frequently Asked Questions
What meat is best for Italian meatballs?
A combination of ground beef and Italian pork sausage works well for flavorful and tender meatballs. Vito’s recipe uses both.
What makes Italian meatballs different?
Italian meatballs vary by region and family, but they commonly combine ground meat with ingredients such as Parmesan, herbs, garlic and breadcrumbs or other binders.
Can I make these meatballs with only beef?
Yes. You can use ground beef instead of the beef and pork combination, although the flavor and texture will be different.
What sauce goes with Italian meatballs?
A tomato-based sauce pairs naturally with Italian meatballs. This recipe uses a homemade San Marzano tomato sauce.
What can I serve with Italian meatballs?
Serve them with spaghetti or another pasta, polenta, crusty bread or a simple salad.
Can I freeze homemade Italian meatballs?
Yes. Cooked meatballs can be cooled and stored in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. They can also be frozen with tomato sauce for an easy future meal.