Take your weeknight dinners up a notch with this easy and elegant baked meatballs recipe smothered in marinara sauce. These meatballs are incredibly tender and flavorful and made with ground beef, almond flour, Parmesan, and fresh herbs. Whether you serve them over pasta, stuff them into a hearty sub, or enjoy them alone, this dish is versatile and guaranteed to impress.
Why you will love this recipe?
This recipe is a game-changer for weeknight dinners! The meatballs are incredibly tender and flavorful, thanks to a blend of ground beef, Parmesan, almond flour, and fresh herbs. They’re versatile enough to be served over pasta, in a sub, or on their own. The rich marinara sauce perfectly complements the meatballs, making every bite a delightful experience. Best of all, it’s easy to make and can be prepped beforehand, so you can enjoy a delicious homemade meal without the stress.
Ingredients you will need:
For the Meatballs:
Beef, Parmesan cheese, almond flour, egg, onion, garlic, and parsley combine to create incredibly tender and flavorful meatballs with a perfect blend of textures.
For the Sauce:
Marinara sauce: This rich and savory marinara sauce perfectly complements the baked meatballs, enhancing their taste with every bite.
Seasonings:
Salt, paprika, and ground coriander: These seasonings add spice and depth, making the meatballs irresistible.
Serving Suggestions:
Pasta Pairing: Serve these flavorful meatballs over a bed of freshly cooked spaghetti or your
favorite pasta.
Sub Sandwich: Scoop them into hoagie rolls, top with more marinara and melted cheese,
and broil for a delicious meatball sub.
Appetizer: Offer them as an appetizer with toothpicks and a marinara dipping sauce.
How to store?
To store your delicious baked meatballs with marinara sauce:
- Cool completely: Allow the meatballs to cool before storing.
- Use an airtight container: Transfer the meatballs and sauce to an airtight container.
- Refrigerate: Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, perfect for meal prep or leftovers.
- Reheat easily: Reheat on the stove or microwave for a quick and tasty meal.
Tips to make best-baked Meatballs with Marinara Sauce:
Here are some tips to make the best-Baked Meatballs with Marinara Sauce:
- Use fresh ingredients: Fresh herbs and high-quality ground beef make a big difference in flavor.
- Don’t overmix: Gently combine the meatball ingredients to keep them tender and avoid a tough texture.
- Shape evenly: Make sure your meatballs are uniform in size for even baking.
- Bake on a rack: Place the meatballs on a baking rack set over a baking sheet to ensure they cook evenly and do not release excess grease.
- Simmer in sauce: After baking, let the meatballs simmer in the marinara sauce for a few minutes to soak up all the delicious flavors.
- Taste as you go: Adjust the meatballs and sauce seasonings to suit your preference.
Variations:
Here are five delicious variations to make the best-Baked Meatballs with Marinara Sauce:
- Mix up the meat: Use a combination of ground pork and beef, or try ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- Gluten-free alternative: Swap almond flour for gluten-free breadcrumbs or oats.
- Cheese choices: Substitute Parmesan with Pecorino Romano or a blend of Italian cheeses for a different flavor.
- Herb variations: Experiment with fresh basil, oregano, or thyme instead of parsley for a new twist.
- No oven needed: Pan-fry the meatballs until browned, then simmer them in the marinara sauce on the stove for a convenient and tasty meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! You can prepare the meatballs and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking or pan-frying them. This makes dinner prep quick and easy.
Let the meatballs cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat them on the stove or in the microwave for a quick meal.
Definitely! While marinara is a classic choice, you can use a creamy Alfredo sauce, a spicy arrabbiata, or even a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce to change things up.
Baked Meatballs with Marinara Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef 5% fat
- 3 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese plus extra for serving
- 5 tbsp almond flour
- 1 large egg
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 3 tbsp fresh parsley chopped (reserve some for garnish)
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground coriander
Instructions
- Start by Setting your oven to 360°F (182°C).
Mix Ingredients:
- Then in a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, grated Parmesan, almond flour, egg, chopped onion, garlic, most of the parsley (save a small amount for garnish), salt, paprika, and coriander. Mix well until the mixture is uniform.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Optionally, lightly grease it with oil to prevent sticking.
Form Meatballs:
- With damp hands, form the mixture into meatballs, each about 1 to 1-1/2 inches in diameter. Arrange them on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not touching.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until the meatballs are golden and cooked through.
- While the meatballs bake, heat the marinara sauce in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the baked meatballs to the sauce, and simmer together for an additional 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and additional grated Parmesan cheese right before serving.
Notes
- Pasta Pairing: Serve these flavorful meatballs over a bed of freshly cooked spaghetti or your
favorite pasta. - Sub Sandwich: Scoop them into hoagie rolls, top with more marinara and melted cheese,
and broil for a delicious meatball sub. - Appetizer: Offer them as an appetizer with toothpicks and a side of marinara dipping sauce.
