Best-Ever Meatballs: Italian-Style Ricotta Meatballs with Simple Tomato Sauce

Name: Best-Ever Meatballs: Italian-Style Ricotta Meatballs with Simple Tomato Sauce
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 3/4 pound 85%-90% lean ground beef (see Recipe Notes); 3/4 pound ground pork (see Recipe Notes); nonstick cooking spray; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced; 8 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated; 6 ounces whole milk ricotta (approx. 3/4 cup); 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs; 2 large eggs; 2 ounces finely grated parmesan (approx. 3/4 cup); 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley; 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil; 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning; optional: up to 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; kosher salt and ground black pepper, to season; 1 tablespoon olive oil, as needed; 1/2 medium yellow onions, diced; 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated; 1/4 cup tomato paste; 1/2 cup dry white wine; 1 (one) 28-ounce can crushed fire-roasted tomatoes; 1 (one) 14-ounce can diced fire-roasted tomatoes; 1/2 cup water; 1/2 cup grated parmesan

Instructions

Prep:20minCook:40min

These Italian-style meatballs are seriously rich and flavorful thanks to the perfect combination of ground beef + pork and a generous amount of fresh aromatics, like onion, garlic, and fresh basil. Soaking the breadcrumbs in ricotta cheese creates the best light and meltingly tender texture. The ricotta meatballs bake, broil, and simmer in a simple, delicious tomato sauce, making them both golden-brown and perfectly tender all at once. Enjoy them over a bowl of fresh pasta, as a holiday appetizer, or tucked in a meatball sub, these ricotta meatballs are endlessly versatile and absolutely perfect every single time. An instant classic!

Updated at: Tue, 06 May 2025 14:51:19 GMT