What makes a perfect weeknight dinner? For me, it’s homemade meatballs in a rich marinara sauce, served with a squeeze of fresh lemon and a sprinkle of parsley. This easy recipe is a family favorite, and the best part is it’s quick to make. Save this idea for a delicious and satisfying meal to try soon

meatballs in marinara sauce with lemon wedges and parsley on the side

Introduction

Imagine sitting down to a plate of tender, flavorful meatballs smothered in a rich, tangy marinara sauce, served with a side of refreshing lemon wedges and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. This classic Italian dish is not only delicious, but it’s also incredibly easy to make and requires minimal effort, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion. The best part? It’s made with everyday ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry, allowing you to get creative and add your own personal touches. In this article, we’ll take you through the simple steps to create this mouthwatering dish, and provide you with helpful tips and tricks to make it your own.

Why This Works

• Flavor balance and ingredient accessibility: The combination of ground meat, breadcrumbs, and parmesan cheese provides a perfect balance of flavors and textures, while the marinara sauce adds a tangy and slightly sweet element to the dish. Plus, all the ingredients are easily found in most supermarkets.
• Ease of preparation: This recipe requires minimal preparation and cooking time, making it perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute dinner plans. Simply mix together the meatball ingredients, form into balls, and bake or fry until cooked through.
• Impressive results with minimal effort: Despite its simplicity, this dish is sure to impress your family and friends with its rich flavors and satisfying texture. The meatballs are tender and juicy, while the marinara sauce adds a depth of flavor that’s sure to please even the pickiest of eaters.

Key Ingredients

The key ingredients in this recipe are ground meat (you can use beef, pork, or a combination of the two), breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, egg, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper. For the marinara sauce, you’ll need canned crushed tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. You’ll also need some fresh parsley and lemon wedges for garnish. If you want to get creative, you can add other ingredients to the meatballs, such as chopped bell peppers or mushrooms, or use different types of cheese or herbs to give the dish a unique flavor.

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, egg, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together with your hands or a wooden spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the meatballs tough.
2. Step 2: Use your hands to shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 1/2 inches (3.8 cm) in diameter. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving a little space between each meatball to allow for even cooking.
3. Step 3: Drizzle the meatballs with a little olive oil and gently roll them around to coat evenly. Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until cooked through and lightly browned on the outside.
4. Step 4: While the meatballs are baking, heat a few tablespoons of olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4-5 minutes or until fragrant and slightly golden. Add the canned crushed tomatoes, salt, and pepper, and stir to combine. Bring the sauce to a simmer and let cook, stirring occasionally, for 10-15 minutes or until the sauce has thickened slightly and reduced by about half.

Handy Tips

• Make sure to handle the meat mixture gently, as overmixing can make the meatballs tough and dense.
• If you want to add some extra flavor to the meatballs, you can mix in some chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley or basil, or some grated lemon zest.
• To prevent the meatballs from sticking to the baking sheet, make sure to line it with parchment paper and drizzle with a little olive oil before adding the meatballs.

Heat Control

If you’re baking the meatballs, make sure to keep an eye on them after 15 minutes, as the cooking time may vary depending on the size of the meatballs and your oven. You can check for doneness by cutting into one of the meatballs; if it’s cooked through, it should be lightly browned on the outside and juicy on the inside. If you’re cooking the sauce on the stovetop, make sure to stir it occasionally to prevent it from burning or sticking to the bottom of the pan.

Crunch Factor

The meatballs should be tender and juicy on the inside, with a lightly browned and crispy exterior. If you want to add some extra crunch to the dish, you can top the meatballs with some toasted breadcrumbs or grated parmesan cheese before serving. The parsley and lemon wedges on the side add a fresh and bright element to the dish, and can be used to add a burst of citrus flavor to each bite.

Pro Kitchen Tricks

• To make the meatballs more evenly sized, you can use a small ice cream scoop or a melon baller to portion out the mixture.
• If you want to make the dish more substantial, you can serve the meatballs with some crusty bread or over a bed of pasta or rice.
• To add some extra flavor to the sauce, you can add a splash of red wine or a pinch of sugar to balance out the acidity of the tomatoes.

Storage Tips

• The meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 2 months. Simply thaw frozen meatballs overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven or on the stovetop until warmed through.
• The marinara sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or frozen for up to 3 months. Simply thaw frozen sauce overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven or on the stovetop until warmed through.
• When reheating the meatballs and sauce, make sure to heat them gently over low heat, stirring occasionally, to prevent the sauce from burning or the meatballs from drying out.

Gift Packaging Ideas

If you want to give the meatballs and marinara sauce as a gift, you can package them in a decorative jar or container, along with some crusty bread or a side of pasta or rice. Simply layer the meatballs and sauce in the jar, top with some fresh parsley or basil, and tie with a ribbon or twine. You can also include a few lemon wedges on the side, along with some grated parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for added flavor.

Flavor Variations

• Different spices: You can add some dried oregano or basil to the meat mixture for a more Italian-inspired flavor, or some smoked paprika for a smoky and savory flavor.
• Creative toppings: You can top the meatballs with some toasted breadcrumbs or grated parmesan cheese, or some chopped fresh herbs like parsley or basil.
• Ingredient swaps: You can use different types of ground meat, such as turkey or pork, or add some chopped vegetables like onions or bell peppers to the meat mixture.

Troubleshooting

• Texture problems: If the meatballs are too dense or dry, you can try adding a little more egg or breadcrumbs to the mixture. If they’re too wet or fragile, you can try adding a little more meat or breadcrumbs.
• Ingredient replacements: If you don’t have any parmesan cheese, you can substitute it with some grated mozzarella or ricotta cheese. If you don’t have any canned crushed tomatoes, you can use some fresh or frozen tomatoes instead.
• Over/undercooking signs: If the meatballs are overcooked, they may be dry and tough on the outside. If they’re undercooked, they may be pink and raw on the inside. Make sure to check for doneness by cutting into one of the meatballs, and adjust the cooking time as needed.

FAQs

• Can I freeze it? Yes, the meatballs and marinara sauce can be frozen for up to 2 months. Simply thaw frozen meatballs overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven or on the stovetop until warmed through.
• Is it gluten-free? The meatballs and marinara sauce are gluten-free, but make sure to check the ingredients of the breadcrumbs and pasta or rice you serve with it to ensure they are gluten-free as well.
• Can I double the recipe? Yes, you can double the recipe to make more meatballs and marinara sauce. Simply multiply all the ingredients by two and adjust the cooking time as needed.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this recipe for meatballs in marinara sauce with lemon wedges and parsley on the side is a classic Italian dish that’s easy to make and requires minimal effort. With its rich flavors and satisfying texture, it’s sure to become a favorite in your household. Whether you’re serving it as a main course or as an appetizer, this dish is perfect for any occasion. So go ahead, get creative, and add your own personal touches to make it your own. Buon appetito!