Cheesy Garlicky Meatballs With Marinara (Print Version)

Tender meatballs enriched with garlic and cheese, simmered in classic marinara sauce. Gluten-free options available.

# What You'll Need:

→ For the Meatballs

01 - 1.1 lb ground beef or half beef and half pork mixture
02 - 2/3 cup fresh breadcrumbs or gluten-free breadcrumbs
03 - 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
04 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
05 - 2 large eggs
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
08 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
11 - 2 tablespoons milk, dairy or plant-based

→ For the Marinara Sauce

12 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
13 - 1 small onion, finely diced
14 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
15 - 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
16 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
17 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
18 - 1/2 teaspoon sugar
19 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ To Serve

20 - Fresh basil leaves for garnish
21 - Extra grated Parmesan cheese, optional
22 - Cooked spaghetti or gluten-free pasta, optional

# How to Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, mozzarella, Parmesan, eggs, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, pepper, and milk. Mix gently until just combined, avoiding overworking the mixture.
03 - Shape mixture into 16 to 18 golf ball-sized meatballs and arrange on the prepared baking sheet.
04 - Bake for 15 to 18 minutes until lightly browned and cooked through.
05 - While meatballs bake, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
06 - Stir in crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
07 - Transfer baked meatballs to the marinara sauce. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
08 - Garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan. Serve hot over pasta or as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The mozzarella melts inside each meatball, creating pockets of gooey cheese that make every bite feel indulgent.
  • Baking instead of frying means less mess and more even cooking without standing over a hot pan.
  • The marinara tastes like it simmered all day, but it comes together in minutes with pantry staples.
  • Gluten-free swaps work seamlessly, so everyone at the table gets the same comforting meal.
02 -
  • Do not overmix the meatball mixture or they will turn out dense and rubbery instead of tender and juicy.
  • Let the meatballs bake undisturbed so they form a light crust that holds them together when you transfer them to the sauce.
  • Simmer the sauce on low heat, not a rolling boil, or the tomatoes will taste sharp instead of sweet and rounded.
03 -
  • Use a cookie scoop to portion the meatballs so they are all the same size and cook evenly.
  • Add a splash of red wine to the marinara for extra depth, letting it cook off for a minute before adding the tomatoes.
  • Taste the sauce before adding the meatballs and adjust the seasoning, because underseasoned sauce makes underseasoned meatballs.
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