Tomato Cheesy Meatballs (Polpette)

The good news is that these delicious Cheeseburgers are nut-free, sugar-free, and gluten-free. With some substitutions, this dish can easily be dairy-free.

Everybody loves meatballs…cheesy or not—they’re a perfect comfort food, rich and delicious, and a go-to for family gatherings. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or simply craving a comforting homemade meal, these meatballs in cheesy tomato sauce are sure to impress and satisfy.

The crowning touch of this dish is the addition of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, which melt into the sauce, adding that lovely creamy richness that perfectly complements the tangy tomatoes and aromatic red wine. And, of course, you get to finish off the wine while eating it; oh yeah!

We all know it’s easier to buy cooked meatballs and throw them in a jar of flavored tomato sauce, but these take so little time to prepare, and cooking them is a doddle. And, one of the nicest things about this cheesy meatball recipe is you may already have most of the ingredients in your cupboard. If you don’t have some of them, then it’s comforting to know that you’ll most likely find them at any grocery store, so you won’t have to search far and wide!

What’s To Love?

💕 This Cheesy Meatball recipe is one of the best you will try.
💕 The tomato sauce adds a delightful tanginess that complements the meatiness of the polpette.
💕 This dish is a classic comfort food, offering a hearty and filling meal that is perfect for any time of the year.
💕 Tastes as good as it looks with its rich, tomatoey, aromatic Italian herby flavors.
💕 Great for any occasion and kiddies love it.
💕 There’s something inherently comforting about cheesy meatballs, it takes you to another level of coziness.
💕 Is a hearty and filling dish that satisfies even the heartiest appetites.

Have you already tried Cheesy Meatballs? If so, let us know how it was…we can’t wait to hear all about it!

Cheesy Meatballs Origin

The concept of cheesy meatballs combines two culinary traditions: the Italian-American classic of meatballs in tomato sauce and the universal love for melted cheese in comfort foods. Meatballs have a long history, with variations found in many cultures, but the version most familiar in the West comes from Italian cuisine, where they are known as “Polpette.”

In Italy, meatballs are typically smaller and often served as a standalone dish or in soups, rather than with pasta and sauce. The Italian-American adaptation evolved in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as Italian immigrants in the United States began to incorporate more readily available and affordable ingredients, leading to larger meatballs served with marinara sauce and pasta. This dish became emblematic of Italian-American cuisine.

Let’s Talk Ingredients

We feel every ingredient adds to the overall taste and texture; if you remove one, it’s like you’ve removed them all.

• Beef — preferably use good-quality steak mince.
• Pork — use good-quality sausage meat or sausages with the skin removed. DO NOT use ground pork.
• Breadcrumbs — use regular or gluten-free white breadcrumbs.
• Egg — use large.
• Onions — we suggest red onions because they’re sweet.
• Garlic — use fresh; it adds a lot of flavor without overwhelming the meatballs.
• Cheese — we suggest using Parmesan and Mozzarella.
• Herbs — use fresh parsley or basil, dried oregano, dried basil, salt and pepper.
• Oil — we use rice bran oil because it has a high smoking point and doesn’t turn rancid when heated.
• Tomato Puree —  it provides thickness and extra richness.
• Tomatoes — use canned plum tomatoes not fresh.
• Wine — use red wine such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or Rioja.
• Sugar —  we use honey.

For more detailed ingredients, see the recipe card.

Customizations

Here are some foodie alternatives should you want to make some changes:

• Beef — for a lighter version try ground turkey or chicken.
• Onions — white onions are a great alternative.
• Cheese — try dairy-free or your favorite regular cheese. Substitute mozzarella with provolone or cheddar for a different cheesy flavor profile.
• Breadcrumbs — for extra flavor, use seasoned breadcrumbs or panko.
• Oil — coconut oil is a great alternative or use your favorite.
• Sugar — use your favorite sugar .

NOTE: The quality of your meat will affect the taste and texture of your meatballs. The quality of your wine will also determine the taste of the sauce, for better or worse.

Remember that substituting ingredients might differ in taste, texture, and overall result, particularly if you’re substituting many ingredients.

If you have made the Chicken Tikka Masala with any customizations, we’d love to hear about it; please message us in the comments.

Instructions – Overview

Cheesy Meatballs are easy to make and are even easier to eat. Here’s a breakdown of how to get started on your baking journey (more detailed instructions are in the recipe card):

Two key elements crucial to a good meatball recipe are how you cook the meatballs and the sauce.

▶︎ This recipe combines the robust flavors of ground beef and pork, perfectly seasoned and mixed together, then scooped into smaller balls. If you have an aversion to touching raw meat, wear gloves or mix lightly with a wooden spoon.

▶︎ They are then cooked on the stovetop to a slightly golden brown, but not cooked through; otherwise, the end result will be a tough, chewy texture. They are then put aside, and the ingredients for the sauce are added to the frying pan, and simmered for several minutes.

▶︎ When the meatballs are browned, add them to the sauce to infuse the flavors for 15-20 minutes.

▶︎ The crowning touch of this dish is the addition of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, which are sprinkled over the top and melted into the sauce. This adds a creamy richness that perfectly complements the tangy tomatoes and aromatic wine.

For more detailed instructions, notes, and ideas…see the recipe card.

Tools You’ll Need

Want to make the best Cheesy Meatballs? Using the correct equipment for preparation is essential; we think they’re a big helping hand. We understand that you might already have some of these kitchen tools to make this recipe, or you might want to use other tools and may not require our recommendations. Here are some of our suggestions to get you started:

• Frying Pan – optional, to brown the meatballs and simmer the sauce.
• Mini Chopper – optional, to finely chop the onion or use a sharp knife.
• Mixing Bowl – to mix the meatballs.
• Cookie Scoop  – optional, to scoop up the meatballs making them all the same size.
• Garlic Press – or use the mini chopper to mince the garlic.
• Thermapen – optional, is a great little tool to test meat temperature.
• Chopping Board – to chop the herbs.
• Baking Trays – optional, if you prefer to bake the meatballs in the oven.
• Stick Blender – optional, to blend the sauce.
• Silicone Spatula – for stirring the sauce and incorporating all the ingredients smoothly.
• Weighing Scales and Measuring Spoons to measure the ingredients accurately.

See the recipe card for more kitchen tool recommendations.

If you love those gadgets for this recipe, then you’ll love this Kitchenaid frying pan (skillet). It’s our go-to for many of our recipes, and we think every budding chef needs it.

Check out our favorite kitchen equipment that we love to use with all our recipes.

Storing

See our FAQs for detailed instructions on storing, refrigeration, freezing, and defrosting and for answers to readers’ questions.

Do you have a question? If so, let us know in the comments and we’ll reply within 24-48 hours and add your question to our FAQs if relevant.

Pairing

Cheesy Meatballs are frequently eaten as a standalone but can easily be paired. Here are some suggestions and our favorite go-to’s what to eat with it:

▶︎ Our first choice is the classic pasta shapes that hold the sauce well, such as spaghetti, penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine, which are excellent.

▶︎ Second to pasta is rice of all flavors; try our Garlic Butter Rice. It goes perfectly with it. Cauliflower Rice is also a great low-carb alternative that soaks up the sauce well.

▶︎ The smooth texture of creamy polenta pairs well with the rich sauce.

▶︎ Crusty Bread such as our Keto Bread is perfect for soaking up the rich, cheesy tomato sauce.

▶︎ Caesar salad with tangy dressing and crunchy croutons provides a refreshing contrast.

▶︎ For afters, a creamy dessert such as this No Bake Limoncello Cheesecake or a light creamy dessert such as this Italian Christmas Pudding Cake will provide a sweet finish to this hearty meal.

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⭐️ Quick Tip: Read the recipe in its entirety before you start. This will help you understand the ingredients, steps, and timing involved, and allow you to prepare any necessary equipment or ingredients beforehand. Voila…you’re all set to go!

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FAQ’s & Troubleshooting

By addressing these FAQs and troubleshooting tips, you can overcome common challenges and create a delicious batch of Cheesy Meatballs every time.

Your Questions Matter

Do you have a question? If so, let us know in the comments and we’ll reply within 24-48 hours and add your question to our FAQs if relevant. If you don’t already follow us, head over to our Twitter or Facebook to keep up to date with all our new recipes and articles.

For food safety top tips, check out USDA.gov.

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