Ideal Summer Lunch: Baked Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

This recipe offers a delightful take on classic meatballs, presenting them baked in a rich tomato sauce and finished with a layer of melted mozzarella. The dish is described as an ideal choice for a family lunch, perfectly complemented by mashed potatoes, cooked pasta, rice, or a slice of crusty homemade bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.

The preparation involves creating juicy meatballs from a mixture of ground meat, finely chopped onion, garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, milk, oregano, paprika, salt, pepper, and parsley. These meatballs are briefly seared before being added to a simmering tomato sauce made with passata, tomato concentrate, onion, garlic, olive oil, water, sugar, salt, pepper, and basil or oregano.

Once the meatballs are nestled in the sauce within a baking dish, they are topped with sliced mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese. Baked in a preheated oven at 200°C (392°F) for about 20 minutes, the dish emerges with a beautifully melted, golden-brown cheesy crust. Fresh basil can be added as a garnish before serving this comforting meal.