Cheesy Baked Meatballs in Creamy Tomato Sauce

Description

These Cheesy Baked Meatballs are juicy, tender, and loaded with savory flavor, then baked in a rich tomato sauce and topped with bubbling melted cheese. The combination of seasoned beef, garlic, herbs, tomato sauce, and golden cheese makes this an incredibly comforting family dinner.

Ingredients

For the Meatballs

• 1½ lb ground beef
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp finely chopped parsley
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

For the Sauce

• 2 cups marinara or tomato sauce
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan
• Fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, egg, Parmesan, garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
3. Form the mixture into 10–12 meatballs.
4. Place the meatballs in the prepared baking dish and bake for 15 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, combine marinara sauce, heavy cream, garlic, Italian seasoning, and black pepper.
6. Remove the meatballs from the oven and pour the sauce around them.
7. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan generously over the meatballs.
8. Return to the oven and bake for another 15–20 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through and the cheese is melted and golden.
9. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

🔥 Pro Tips

• Don’t overmix the beef or the meatballs can become tough.
• Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor.
• For extra cheesiness, add a little mozzarella inside each meatball.
• Broil for 1–2 minutes at the end for a beautifully browned cheese topping.
• Make sure the meatballs reach 160°F (71°C) internally.

🍽️ Serving Ideas

Serve these cheesy meatballs with zucchini noodles, roasted vegetables, cauliflower mash, or a simple green salad for a delicious low-carb dinner.