Bacon-Infused Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
- maryamsettle
- Feb 27
- 2 min read
This recipe brings together rich, smoky bacon, tender homemade meatballs, and a deeply flavorful tomato sauce—all simmered to perfection. Whether you serve it over pasta, on a sub roll, or enjoy it straight from the pot, this dish is pure comfort food.
Ingredients
For the Sauce:
8-10 strips of bacon, chopped
1 large Vidalia onion, chopped
6-8 cloves garlic, minced
45 ounces canned diced tomatoes (in tomato juice)
15 ounces canned tomato sauce
Salt and pepper, to taste
Olive oil
For the Meatballs:
2 pounds ground beef
¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (not the pre-packaged kind)
1 handful fresh parsley, chopped
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
2 large eggs
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Make the Sauce:
Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
Add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy.
Stir in the onions and garlic, sautéing until the onions are soft and fragrant.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Pour in the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce, stirring to combine.
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and let it simmer for 1 hour while you prepare the meatballs.
Make the Meatballs:
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, parsley, garlic, eggs, salt, and pepper.
Mix everything thoroughly using your hands—this ensures the best texture.
Roll the mixture into meatballs. If making bite-sized meatballs (about 1 tablespoon each), they will take longer to roll, but they’re perfect for scooping up with a fork!
Cook the Meatballs in the Sauce:
Once the sauce has simmered for 1 hour, start adding the meatballs in batches.
If making smaller meatballs, roll about 10 at a time, drop them into the sauce, then roll and add more. This prevents overcrowding and helps them hold their shape.
For larger meatballs, you can add them all at once.
Stir gently to coat the meatballs in the sauce. Keep the pot covered and on low heat.
Let the meatballs simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
Serve & Enjoy!
Ladle the meatballs and sauce over pasta, spoon them onto crusty bread for a meatball sub, or serve with a side of garlic bread. However you enjoy them, this dish is guaranteed to be a hit!
Watch the step by step at the link below:
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