(A no-fuss, family favourite that’s freezer-friendly too)
When you want comfort food but don’t want to stand at the stove, meatballs are your friend—especially baked meatballs.
This week’s Throw it in the Oven Thursday recipe is all about real food, minimal effort, and big flavour:
Juicy meatballs baked in a tray with a rich, herby tomato sauce made from pantry staples or your own preserved summer harvest.
It’s hands-off, batch-cookable, and crowd-approved—even the fussy eaters come back for seconds.
🍝 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
For the meatballs:
- 500g beef or beef/pork mince
- 1 egg
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (or oats)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ onion, finely grated or chopped
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh herbs (parsley, oregano, basil) or 1 tsp dried
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Optional: a spoonful of grated parmesan
For the sauce:
- 1–2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups passata or crushed tomatoes
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- A pinch of sugar or splash of balsamic vinegar
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Optional: fresh chopped basil to finish
🥘 Method
- Preheat oven to 180°C (fan forced)
- Mix meatball ingredients together in a bowl and roll into small balls
- Lightly oil a large baking dish or tray and place meatballs in
- In a saucepan, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil until soft
- Add tomato paste, passata, herbs, and seasoning. Simmer 10 minutes
- Pour sauce over meatballs and bake for 25–30 minutes until browned and bubbling
- Sprinkle with fresh herbs and serve
🍽 What to Serve With
- Steamed greens or a side salad
- Pasta, rice, or crusty bread
- Mashed potato or polenta
- Zoodles or roasted veggies for a low-carb option
❄️ Freezer Tips
- Make a double batch of meatballs and freeze one tray before baking
- Or freeze leftovers in portions (sauce + meatballs) for quick lunches or midweek dinners
- Reheat gently in oven or microwave with a splash of water to loosen the sauce
This Week on Throw it in the Oven Thursdays
Dinner doesn’t need to be complicated to be nourishing.
Bake it, forget it (mostly), and enjoy real food with real ease.
🧾 Download the Living Pantry Checklist to keep your meatball ingredients on hand.