Description
Easy Ricotta Meatballs with Tomato Sauce are tender, creamy meatballs made with ricotta cheese and ground meat, simmered in a rich homemade tomato sauce. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or cozy family meals, these flavorful meatballs combine classic Italian herbs with simple pantry ingredients for a comforting and versatile dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatball Ingredients
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 pound ground beef or pork
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 cup bread crumbs (or gluten-free bread crumbs/almond flour for gluten-free)
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 small onion, finely minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Tomato Sauce Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, ground beef or pork, grated Parmesan, chopped fresh herbs, breadcrumbs, finely minced garlic and onion, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined to keep the meatballs tender.
- Shape the Meatballs: Using a spoon or your hands, form the mixture into small, uniform meatballs about one inch in diameter. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet for easy handling.
- Brown the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs carefully and cook until golden brown on all sides but not fully cooked through, around 5 minutes. This step seals in flavor and creates a beautiful crust.
- Make the Tomato Sauce: In the same skillet, add more olive oil if needed and sauté minced garlic and onion until fragrant. Stir in crushed canned tomatoes, fresh herbs like basil and parsley, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently to develop flavor.
- Simmer Meatballs in Sauce: Carefully nestle browned meatballs into the simmering tomato sauce. Cover and cook on low heat for about 15 minutes, allowing the meatballs to cook through and soak up the sauce’s rich flavors.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once cooked, serve hot with your favorite pasta, fresh bread, or a simple salad. Spoon extra tomato sauce over the top and garnish with fresh basil and grated Parmesan for a meal that feels both indulgent and wholesome.
Notes
- Don’t overmix the meat mixture to keep the meatballs tender.
- Make meatballs the same size to ensure even cooking.
- Simmer meatballs low and slow in the sauce for deeper flavor and moist texture.
- Use fresh parsley and basil for brightness and aroma.
- Let meatballs rest a few minutes after cooking to lock in juices before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Pan-frying and Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 4 meatballs with sauce)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: ricotta meatballs, tomato sauce, Italian meatballs, easy dinner, weeknight meal, gluten free meatballs, homemade tomato sauce
