Christmas Eve Braised Meatballs: A Holiday Tradition

When it comes to Christmas Eve, my family has one non-negotiable: meatballs. But not just any meatballs—these are my homemade Christmas Eve Braised Meatballs, tender and bursting with flavor, lovingly simmered in a rich marinara sauce. There’s something so festive about the warm, comforting aroma of these meatballs cooking on the stovetop while holiday music plays in the background. It’s like a hug in food form.

Jump to recipe

Whether you serve them over pasta, with crusty bread, or even as a stand-alone appetizer, these meatballs are guaranteed to be the star of your Christmas Eve spread. My Christmas Eve preference is serving them with crusty bread to soak up all the delicious sauce!

Why These Meatballs Are So Special

1. The Perfect Holiday Flavor: A blend of herbs, warm spices, and a rich tomato sauce that feels just right for the season.

2. Comfort Food Magic: Hearty, saucy, and oh-so-satisfying—just what you need on a chilly December night.

3. Make-Ahead Ease: You can prepare these meatballs in advance, leaving you more time to soak up the holiday cheer.

4. Customizable: Adjust the seasonings or serving style to fit your family’s traditions.

---

The Recipe:

Preparation Time: 30 minutes

• Cooking Time: 45 minutes

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

• Serves: 6-8 people (approximately 30ish meatballs)

• Serving Size: 6ish meatballs with plenty of sauce

Ingredients

For the Meatballs

• 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs

• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 2 large eggs

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 LB ground beef

• 1 LB ground pork

• 1 teaspoon dried parsley

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

  
  

For the Tomato Sauce

• 2 tablespoons oil

• 1 medium onion, finely diced

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 14 oz can petite diced tomatoes

• 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes

• 1 tablespoon tomato paste

• 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning

• 1 teaspoon dried basil

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1 tablespoon sugar

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Make the Meatball Mixture

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, eggs, minced garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and black pepper, and mix well. Then add ground beef and ground pork.

• Gently mix the ingredients with clean hands until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the meatballs dense.

2. Shape the Meatballs

• Roll the mixture into small ball-sized meatballs, about 1 ½ inches in diameter. This recipe yields approximately 28-30-ish meatballs.

3. Brown the Meatballs

• Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a braiser (deep pan) or Dutch oven over medium heat.

• Cook the meatballs in batches, ensuring they don’t touch. Brown each side for 2-3 minutes until golden.

• Transfer the browned meatballs to a plate and set them aside.

4. Prepare the Tomato Sauce

• In the same pan or Dutch oven, add more oil if needed and sauté the diced onion until softened about 5 minutes.

• Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, stirring to prevent burning.

• Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes to develop a richer flavor.

• Add the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, dried basil, dried oregano, and sugar. Stir well to combine and season with salt and pepper to taste.

5. Simmer the Meatballs

• Return the browned meatballs to the skillet, nestling them into the tomato sauce.

• Cover the skillet and simmer over low heat for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking. Let the flavors meld as the meatballs cook through.

6. Garnish and Serve

• Sprinkle the finished dish with fresh parsley, basil, and a generous amount of grated Parmesan cheese.

• Serve the meatballs with your choice of crusty bread, pasta, or on buns, and savor the festive flavors of this Christmas Eve classic!