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Ricotta Meatballs with Simple Tomato Sauce

These ricotta meatballs are juicy, tender, and bursting with flavor, made easy with a homemade tomato sauce. Perfect for a quick and satisfying meal any night of the week.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 150
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs
  • 1 lb ground beef Use good beef, but not too lean.
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese Ricotta keeps the meatballs tender.
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs Can substitute with gluten-free crumbs.
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese For added flavor, optional.
  • 1 each egg Helps to bind the meat mixture.
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced For seasoning.
  • 1 tsp salt To taste.
  • 1 tsp black pepper To taste.
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes Optional for a bit of heat.
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped For freshness.
For the Tomato Sauce
  • 28 oz crushed tomatoes Quality tomatoes enhance flavor.
  • 2 tbsp olive oil For sautéing garlic.
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced For the sauce.
  • 1 tsp salt To taste.
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil Add at the end of cooking.

Method
 

Prepare the Meatballs
  1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ricotta cheese, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and parsley.
  2. Mix gently to combine without overworking the mixture.
  3. Form the mixture into meatballs, about the size of a ping-pong ball.
Bake the Meatballs
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes.
  3. Optional: Broil for an additional minute for crispy edges.
Make the Sauce
  1. In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté garlic until fragrant.
  2. Add crushed tomatoes and salt. Simmer for about 20 minutes.
  3. Stir in fresh basil just before serving.
Combine and Serve
  1. Drop the meatballs into the sauce and let them simmer together for another 10 minutes.
  2. Serve warm with pasta or as desired.

Notes

Feel free to substitute turkey or pork for the beef. These meatballs also work well in meatball subs or with mashed potatoes.