Description
Marry Me Meatballs are ultra-tender, pan-seared meatballs simmered in a rich and creamy tomato Parmesan sauce. Perfect for pasta, mashed potatoes, or sandwiches, this crowd-pleasing dinner recipe is a must-save for cozy nights in or date-night dinners.
Ingredients
1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 pound ground pork
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1 large egg
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 small onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for sauce)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, mix ground beef, pork, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, onion, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper until just combined.
2. Roll into 1.5-inch meatballs.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sear meatballs until golden on all sides. Set aside.
4. In the same skillet, add more oil if needed and stir in tomato paste. Cook 1–2 minutes.
5. Add crushed tomatoes, then stir in heavy cream and Parmesan. Simmer to thicken.
6. Return meatballs to skillet. Cover and simmer on low for 15–20 minutes until cooked through.
7. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Use a light hand when mixing the meat to keep the meatballs tender.
You can bake the meatballs at 400°F for 15–18 minutes as an alternative to pan-frying.
Add a splash of broth or cream when reheating to refresh the sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 455
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 125mg