PF
Appetizing shakshuka in a skillet, topped with cheese and fresh herbs, perfect for a hearty breakfast.
Stovetop~35 minComplexity

Skillet Meatballs and Marinara

Skillet Meatballs and Marinara deliver 27g protein and 688 calories per serving, combining red sauce convenience with beef-based amino acids. Six servings prep simultaneously, letting you batch this Italian staple once weekly and portion across multiple meals. Works for both cutting and bulking macros depending on your daily targets and serving size.

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Ingredients

6 servings
  • Italian Pork Sausage(454g)
  • Bread Crumbs, Dry, Plain(240g)
  • Egg, Whole, Large
  • Yellow Onion
  • Olive oil(15g)

    Regular (not extra-virgin) olive oil for high-heat cooking. EVOO for dressings.

  • Yellow Onion
  • Garlic(120g)
  • Tomato, Canned, Crushed(794g)
  • Oregano, Dried(3g)
  • 1/2 tsp dried basil ($0.05)
  • 1/2 tsp salt ($0.03)
  • Freshly cracked black pepper ($0.05)
  • Brown sugar(5g)
  • Tomato Paste(15g)
  • Pasta, White, Dry (Unspecified Type)(340g)

Instructions

  1. 1Squeeze the Italian sausage from its casing into a large bowl. Add the breadcrumbs, eggs, and diced onion. Mix with your hands until just combined, then form the mixture into approximately 24 meatballs (ping pong ball–sized).
  2. 2Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and tilt to coat the bottom evenly. Working in two batches to avoid crowding, add the meatballs and cook 3–4 minutes per side over medium-high heat until golden brown on all surfaces. Transfer the browned meatballs to a clean plate.
  3. 3Add the remaining diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté over medium heat for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes soft and translucent.
  4. 4Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, brown sugar, salt, and pepper until the tomato paste is fully incorporated into the sauce.
  5. 5Return the meatballs to the skillet and gently stir to coat them in sauce. Cover with a lid and simmer over medium-low heat for 15 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and flavors meld.
  6. 6While the meatballs simmer, cook the pasta according to package directions in salted boiling water. Drain and set aside.
  7. 7Divide the cooked pasta evenly into 6 airtight containers while hot. Top each portion with 4 meatballs and sauce, distributing the meatballs and liquid evenly.
  8. 8Cool to room temperature, then seal the containers and refrigerate for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition — Per Serving

688

calories

27g

protein

24g

fat

Carbohydrates
91g
Saturated fat
7.6g
Sodium
974 mg
Dietary fiber
6.9g

6 servings per batch · ~331g each

Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central

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Common questions

How much protein does Skillet Meatballs and Marinara have per serving?

Each serving contains 27g of protein and 688 calories with 24g fat and 91g carbs. The high carbohydrate content comes from the marinara sauce and suggests this is a post-workout focused meal.

How long does Skillet Meatballs and Marinara take to prep?

Quick prep on the stovetop yields 6 servings per batch, making this an efficient option for prepping multiple dinners at once. You can batch the entire week's worth of this recipe in one session.

Is Skillet Meatballs and Marinara good for muscle gain?

At 27g protein and 688 calories per serving with 91g carbs, this recipe is structured for muscle gain phases where elevated carbohydrate intake supports training volume and recovery. The carbohydrate-to-protein ratio makes it ideal for post-workout meals.

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