Savory Oven-Baked Italian Meatballs with Homemade Marinara

1. Preheat Oven

Preheat your oven to 475°F.

2. Cook Onions

Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, then add the finely chopped onions. Cook the onions for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they're soft and golden.

3. Add Garlic and Spices

Add the minced garlic, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes to the onions. Cook for about 30 seconds, just until the garlic becomes aromatic. Be careful not to burn the garlic. Transfer half of this onion mixture to a large bowl and set aside for the meatballs.

4. Prepare Tomato Paste and Wine

Stir the tomato paste into the remaining onion mixture in the Dutch oven and cook for about a minute to develop its rich flavor. Pour in the red wine, allowing it to simmer for two minutes to reduce and intensify.

5. Add Crushed Tomatoes and Water

Add the crushed tomatoes and water. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for about 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.

6. Prepare Panade

While the marinara simmers, prepare the panade by mashing the bread slices with milk in the large bowl containing the reserved onions. The bread should turn mushy, creating a moist binder for the meatballs.

7. Mix Sausage and Seasonings

Crumble in the sweet Italian sausage and mix well. Add 1 cup of grated Parmesan, chopped parsley, eggs, and minced garlic to the bread mixture. Season with 1.5 teaspoons of salt and mix until all ingredients are well combined.

8. Form and Bake Meatballs

Gently work the ground chuck into the mixture with your hands until evenly distributed. Form the meat mixture into sixteen 2.5-inch meatballs and place them on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake in the upper-middle rack of your preheated oven for about 20 minutes, until the meatballs are well browned.

9. Finish Marinara Sauce

Once the marinara sauce has simmered and thickened, stir in 0.5 cup of grated Parmesan and the chopped basil. Season with salt and sugar to taste, balancing the flavors to your preference.

10. Simmer Meatballs in Sauce

Transfer the baked meatballs into the Dutch oven with the marinara sauce. Let them simmer together for an additional 15-20 minutes, allowing the meatballs to soak up the rich, savory sauce. Serve hot and enjoy.