Contadina® Baked Meatballs in Tomato Herb Sauce

Served on hot cooked pasta with Parmesan cheese, homemade baked meatballs in a rich tomato sauce make a delicious family-favorite dinner.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 35 mins
• Calories: 696 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano, divided
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Cooked pasta
• 2 (14.5 ounce) cans CONTADINA® Diced Tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (6 ounce) can CONTADINA® Tomato Paste, divided
• 2 teaspoons dried basil, divided
• 1 ½ cups fresh bread crumbs*
• ½ cup golden raisins, coarsely chopped (Optional)
• 1 ¼ pounds lean ground beef or ground turkey, 93% lean (not turkey breast)

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil; coat with cooking spray.

Step 2

Combine 1/2 can tomato paste, egg, 1 tsp. each basil and oregano, onion powder, garlic powder and pepper in a large bowl. Stir in bread crumbs, Parmesan and raisins.

Step 3

Mix in turkey with hands or a large spoon until mixture is combined well. Shape into 16 meatballs, about 1 1/2-inches in diameter. Bake 20 minutes or until browned and cooked through (165 degrees F internal temperature).

Step 4

Meanwhile, stir together remaining tomato paste, diced tomatoes, 1 tsp. each oregano and basil, sugar and salt in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes. Add baked meatballs to sauce and simmer 5 minutes for flavors to blend. Serve meatballs and sauce over pasta with Parmesan cheese, if desired.