Easy Ricotta Meatballs in Homemade Marinara Sauce

These baked ricotta meatballs are tender and full of flavor. Finished in homemade marinara sauce and topped with extra ricotta, then baked until golden and bubbly—comfort food at its best.

These ricotta meatballs in homemade marinara sauce are the ultimate comfort food — cozy, flavorful, and surprisingly easy to make. The meatballs are oven-baked for a mess-free, hands-off cooking method that keeps them juicy and tender on the inside with a golden exterior. Paired with a simple homemade marinara sauce that comes together in just minutes, this dish is bursting with rich, savory flavor. Whether you serve them over pasta, with crusty bread, or as an appetizer, these baked meatballs are guaranteed to be your new favorite!

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Ricotta Meatballs

• Ground beef: Use a blend with a bit of fat (like 85/15) for juicy, flavorful meatballs.
• Yellow onion: Finely chopped for a touch of sweetness and extra moisture.
• Garlic: Freshly minced to add rich, savory depth.
• Panko breadcrumbs: Help bind the meatballs while keeping them light and tender.
• Milk: Softens the breadcrumbs for a moist, delicate texture.
• Egg: Holds everything together so the meatballs stay firm but tender.
• Ricotta cheese: Adds creaminess and keeps the meatballs extra soft and juicy.
• Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated for a salty, nutty flavor that complements the beef.
• Italian seasoning: A simple blend of herbs that adds classic Italian flavor.
• Salt and black pepper: Essential seasonings that bring everything together.

For the Homemade Marinara Sauce

• Extra virgin olive oil: For sautéing and building a rich base of flavor.
• Yellow onion: Adds sweetness and depth to the sauce.
• Garlic: A must for a fragrant, savory marinara.
• Tomato paste: Deepens the tomato flavor and adds body to the sauce.
• Crushed tomatoes: The base of the sauce — choose a good quality brand for the best flavor.
• Italian seasoning: Brings those comforting, herby notes to the sauce.
• Sugar: Balances the acidity of the tomatoes.
• Salt and black pepper: To season and enhance every bite.
• Red pepper flakes: Optional, but adds a subtle kick of heat.

Kitchen Tools

• Baking Sheet
• Oven Safe Dish
• Nonstick Skillet
• Cutting Board
• My Favorite Kitchen Knife
• Mixing Bowl
• Cheese Grater
• Measuring Cups and Spoons

How to Make Ricotta Meatballs with Homemade Marinara Sauce

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Ingredients

Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small bowl, mix together the panko breadcrumbs and milk, then set aside for 5–10 minutes to soak. Meanwhile, finely chop the onion, mince the garlic, and grate the Parmesan cheese so everything is ready to go.

Step 2: Make the Meatball Mixture

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumb mixture, onion, garlic, egg, Parmesan, ricotta, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Gently mix with your hands until everything is evenly combined—avoid overmixing so the meatballs stay tender.

Step 3: Shape and Bake the Meatballs

Form the mixture into 12 golf ball-sized meatballs and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, or until cooked through and lightly golden on top.

Step 4: Make the Marinara Sauce

While the meatballs bake, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another minute. Add crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, sugar, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mix well and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 5: Combine and Finish Baking

Increase the oven temperature to 500°F. Transfer the marinara sauce into an oven-safe dish, then nestle the baked meatballs into the sauce. Add a few extra dollops of ricotta cheese on top, if desired. Bake for another 5 minutes, until the sauce is bubbling and slightly caramelized on top.

How to Serve These Ricotta Meatballs

My all-time favorite (and the most classic) way to serve these baked ricotta meatballs is over a bowl of pasta — spaghetti, rigatoni, or penne all work beautifully to soak up that rich marinara sauce.

They also make a fantastic appetizer when served with some toasted or crusty bread for dipping in the homemade marinara sauce— perfect for parties or family dinners.

Or, turn them into the ultimate meatball sub by tucking a few into a toasted hoagie roll, topping with extra marinara, and a sprinkle of melted mozzarella.

No matter how you serve them, these juicy, cheesy baked meatballs are guaranteed to be a hit!

Recipe Tips and Substitutions

• Swap the protein: Ground turkey, chicken, or pork all work beautifully in place of beef. Just keep an eye on cooking time, as leaner meats can dry out faster.
• Dairy swaps: If you don’t have ricotta, cottage cheese can work in a pinch — just blend it smooth before adding to the mixture.
• Breadcrumbs: Regular or Italian-style breadcrumbs can replace panko if that’s what you have on hand. Don’t skip on soaking the panko or breadcrumbs in milk before adding to meatballs mixture for extra juicy meatballs!
• Shortcut Marinara: In a pinch, you can use your favorite jarred marinara sauce — but the homemade version really takes it to the next level.
• Serving idea: Try topping with fresh basil, parsley, red pepper flakes or fresh parmesan cheese before serving for extra flavor.
• Make ahead: You can form the meatballs up to a day ahead and refrigerate until ready to bake.

Storage and Reheating

Store any leftover ricotta meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop in a skillet with a little extra marinara sauce, or cover and warm in the oven at 350°F until heated through.

You can also freeze these ricotta for up to 3 months — either with the homemade marinara sauce or separately. To reheat from frozen, let them thaw in the fridge overnight, then warm on the stovetop or in the oven.

For meal prep, portion out the meatballs with pasta or veggies into containers for easy grab-and-go lunches or weeknight dinners.

More Italian-Inspired Recipes You’ll Love

• Easy Homemade Baked Italian Sausage Meatballs
• Spicy Garlic Shrimp Pasta – Ready in under 30 Minutes!
• Caprese Salad with Balsamic Drizzle (Fresh, Simple & Delicious)