Italian Sauce With Meat Balls

Prep: 15 min Cook: 30 min Serves: 4 Cuisine: Italian

A hearty Italian-style sauce with meatballs featuring rich tomato flavors, seasoned vegetables, and tender beef, perfect for family dinners and comforting meals.

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Ingredients

  • 8 oz. can tomato paste
  • 8 oz. can tomato sauce
  • 1 can tomato soup
  • 1 pt. whole tomatoes
  • salt to taste
  • pepper to taste
  • 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 lb. hamburger
  • 2 Tbsp. water
  • 1 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. pepper
  • 2 Tbsp. butter
  • 1 green pepper, diced

Instructions

  1. In a large pot, combine tomato paste, tomato sauce, tomato soup, whole tomatoes, salt, pepper, oregano, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil and cook together to make the sauce.
  2. In a bowl, mix hamburger, water, salt, and pepper. Form into meatballs.
  3. In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat and cook diced onion and green pepper until softened.
  4. Add the meatballs to the sauce and simmer until cooked through, about 20 minutes.
  5. Serve the sauce with meatballs over your choice of pasta or bread.

Tips & Substitutions

For a richer flavor, consider adding a splash of red wine to the sauce as it simmers. If you're short on time, pre-made meatballs can be used instead of making your own; just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly. You can also swap out the hamburger for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this Italian sauce with meatballs over your choice of pasta, such as spaghetti or penne, or on crusty bread for a delicious sandwich. It pairs beautifully with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal. For a twist, try serving it alongside Pasta And Olive Cocktails for a delightful appetizer.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the sauce and meatballs on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. You can also reheat in the microwave, but be sure to cover the dish to prevent splatters.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Italian Sauce With Meat Balls contains roughly 614 calories, with 17g protein, 108g carbohydrates, and 21g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (157% of the Daily Value), iron (148% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (126% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2391mg per serving (104% of the Daily Value).

614 kcal 31% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 16.8g 34% DV
Total Fat 21.2g 27% DV
Carbs 107.7g 39% DV
Fiber 35.3g 100% DV
Sugar 25.6g 51% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 2391.1mg 100% DV
Potassium 2371.4mg 50% DV
Cholesterol 4.4mg 1% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 191mcg 21% DV
Vitamin C 141.2mg 100% DV
Calcium 1012.2mg 78% DV
Iron 26.6mg 100% DV
Diet fit High-fiber
Contains Milk

Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I make this dish spicier?

To add some heat, consider incorporating red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños into the sauce while it simmers. You can also use spicy Italian sausage instead of half the hamburger for an extra kick.

Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).

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