Last Updated on February 18, 2026 by Deliciously Organic Editor
If you want a cozy dinner that feels classic, meatballs with marinara sauce checks every box. It’s a simple meal, but it’s also loaded with real nourishment like protein, B vitamins, zinc, selenium, carnitine, and heme iron. It’s one of those recipes that makes everyone happy at the table, and it’s easy enough for a weeknight.
 
How to Make Meatballs with Marinara Sauce:
One reason I love making meatballs with marinara sauce is that ground beef is budget friendly and so versatile. I use it all the time because it’s easy to cook with and it stretches into so many meals. If you can, choose organic and grass-fed. If that’s not in the budget right now, lean ground beef is still a solid option.
Most meatballs call for breadcrumbs, so for this recipe I omitted them to keep the recipe gluten-free. The result is still tender and flavorful, and it works great for anyone who wants a gluten free option. If you have a favorite meatball recipe that uses breadcrumbs, you can swap in blanched almond flour, a small amount of coconut flour (you usually only need 1-2 tbs. to replace 1 cup of breadcrumbs), or ground plantain chips.
For the sauce, I love using fresh tomatoes when they’re in season. It makes meatballs with marinara sauce taste bright and fresh. If it’s not tomato season, you can still get that cozy marinara flavor by using a good quality jar of crushed tomatoes.
What to Serve with Meatballs with Marinara Sauce
To serve, I like to pair the meatballs with marinara sauce with a simple veggie side. Blanched green beans with butter and a sprinkle of Pecorino Romano are perfect. A Caesar salad is another easy win. And if you have leftovers, the meatballs reheat really well for lunch the next day.
Here are some additional ground beef recipes to enjoy:
Salisbury steakÂ
Pizza SoupÂ
Greek Meatballs with Tzatiki Sauce
Cottage Pie
Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf
Meatballs with Marinara Sauce (Gluten-Free)
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American, Italian
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Ingredients
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 large tomatoes, chopped
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 1/4 cup shredded Pecorino Romano cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup shredded basil leaves
Instructions
- Place garlic and olive oil in a large sauce pan over medium-low heat. Cook until garlic begins to sizzle and is fragrant. Add tomatoes and salt. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes.
- Place beef, tomato paste, 1 cup cheese, seasoning, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Using your hands, massage the meat until ingredients are incorporated. Form meat into golf-size balls and place on a large baking sheet. When all of the meatballs have been formed, place the meatballs into the simmering sauce. Cook for about 10 minutes, until meatballs are cooked through. Top with basil and remaining cheese. Serve immediately.
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