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Rao’s Meatballs with Marinara Sauce

Rao’s Meatballs with Marinara Sauce

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Rao’s Meatballs with Marinara Sauce is a quintessential Italian comfort dish that brings warmth and flavor to any meal. This recipe features succulent meatballs made from a blend of ground beef, pork, and veal, perfectly complemented by a rich marinara sauce crafted from San Marzano tomatoes. Ideal for family dinners or gatherings, these meatballs are not only delicious but incredibly versatile—serve them over pasta, in a sub sandwich, or simply as an appetizer. With straightforward preparation steps and accessible ingredients, you can create this hearty dish that will impress both kids and adults alike.

Ingredients

Scale
  • pounds ground beef
  • ¼ pound ground pork
  • ¼ pound ground veal
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1½ tablespoons chopped Italian parsley
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup water
  • 1¼ cups grated Pecorino Romano cheese
  • ½ cup plain breadcrumbs
  • 2 cups vegetable oil for frying (optional)
  • Four 28-ounce cans whole tomatoes (preferably San Marzano)
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 6 tablespoons minced onion
  • 12 leaves fresh basil, torn (optional)
  • Pinch of dried oregano
  • Coarse salt
  • Freshly ground pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Marinara Sauce: Crush tomatoes and sauté onions and garlic in olive oil. Add crushed tomatoes and seasonings; simmer for about an hour.
  2. Make the Meatballs: Combine ground meats, minced garlic, parsley, eggs, cheese, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper. Form into meatballs.
  3. Cook: Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes or fry in vegetable oil until golden brown.
  4. Simmer: Transfer cooked meatballs to the marinara sauce and let them simmer together for enhanced flavor.

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