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MEATBALL MARINARA centered hero view, clean and uncluttered
Yesica Andrews

Meatball Marinara Easy Weeknight Dinner Ready Fast

Enjoy a hearty and satisfying meal with this meatball marinara recipe, perfect for an easy dinner or quick weeknight meal. This family dinner features juicy meatballs simmered in a rich marinara sauce with melted mozzarella cheese, making simple cooking a delight.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 908

Ingredients
  

  • ½ pound ground pork
  • ½ pound ground beef
  • 1 cup bread crumbs Italian seasoned or plain
  • ⅓ cup grated Romano cheese or grated Parmesan
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh Italian parsley or 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 2 cloves garlic peeled and finely chopped
  • 1 large egg beaten
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ cup milk any type of milk or water
  • ½ cup frying oil more or less to reach a depth of 1-2 inches in your skillet
  • ¼ cup prepared pesto sauce
  • 28 ounces marinara sauce
  • 1 pound fresh mozzarella slices

Method
 

  1. Put the ground pork and beef into a large bowl along with the bread crumbs, Romano cheese, parsley, garlic, egg, salt, and pepper.
  2. Slowly pour in the milk or water, and gently combine the ingredients using your hands until just mixed, taking care not to overwork the meat.
  3. Scoop out portions of the mixture using a cookie scoop or large spoon onto a parchment-lined tray.
  4. Shape each portion into a golf-ball size meatball using your hands, avoiding pressing too hard to keep them tender.
  5. If the meatballs feel too soft, chill them in the refrigerator while you prepare to fry.
  6. Heat olive oil or frying oil in a 10-inch skillet to a depth of 1-2 inches over medium-high heat.
  7. Place the meatballs in the hot oil without crowding the pan; cook them in batches if necessary.
  8. Fry each meatball for about 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked on the outside, about 6 minutes total.
  9. Remove excess oil from the skillet, then return it to the stove.
  10. Pour in the marinara and pesto sauces, stirring to combine, then carefully add the meatballs back into the sauce.
  11. Let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for approximately 15 minutes, ensuring they are cooked through with no pink inside.
  12. Turn the heat to low and tuck mozzarella slices between the meatballs, allowing the cheese to soften and start melting for 3 to 5 minutes.
  13. Optionally, broil the skillet for 5 minutes until the cheese and sauce bubble lightly on top before serving.

Notes

  • Lean meats can sometimes dry out; the fats in pork and beef here help keep these meatballs juicy and tender. For a spicy twist, add red pepper flakes to the meat or sauce. Cheese-stuffed meatballs are another fun variation: insert small cubes of mozzarella or Parmesan inside each meatball before cooking. This recipe freezes well either raw or cooked; flash freeze on a tray before transferring to freezer bags. Thaw completely before reheating or frying. Reheat gently on low heat, adding a splash of water if the sauce thickens too much.