Beef | Dinner | Main Course | One Pot | Recipes
Italian Meatballs
Indulge in the delectable flavors of Italy with these easy-to-make Italian meatballs. Bursting with savory herbs and spices, these tender meatballs are a true culinary delight. Each bite is packed with rich, meaty goodness. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a kitchen novice, these Italian meatballs are a breeze to whip up.
With just a few simple ingredients and a little love, you can create a dish that will impress even the most discerning palates. Get ready to savor the authentic taste of Italy right in the comfort of your home. If you love Italian meatballs you might like Porcupine Meatballs.
What you’ll love about this recipe:
Homemade Italian Meatballs Ingredients
How to make Italian Meatballs
- In a small bowl, add the fresh bread crumbs and whole milk, and mix to combine. Allow to sit for 10 minutes or until the bread crumbs have soaked up all the milk.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, and oregano. Mix until combined using clean hands.
- To the ground beef mixture, add the soaked bread crumbs, 2 large eggs, grated parmesan cheese, and chopped fresh parsley. Mix again using clean hands until completely combined.
- Form the ground beef mixture into 1 ½” meatballs and set aside.
- In a large deep 2” deep skillet over medium-low heat, heat the olive oil. Working in batches, sear the meatballs on all sides, (about 2 minutes per side). The goal here is to just sear the meatballs enough to form a crust, not to cook them all the way through. Transfer the meatballs to a clean plate and set aside.
- In the same skillet over medium-low heat, bring the marinara sauce to a simmer, and scrape the bottom of the pan using a wooden spoon or spatula to get all that flavor. Return all the meatballs to the skillet, cover, and simmer over medium-low heat until the meatballs are cooked through about 8-10 minutes.
- Serve the meatballs with spaghetti or crust bread, top with more parmesan cheese, and chopped fresh parsley. Enjoy!
Tips & Tricks for Homemade Italian Meatballs
- Mix the meats: For the best flavor and texture, combine ground beef with ground pork or veal in your meatball mixture. This combination adds richness and depth to the meatballs.
- Use fresh herbs: Fresh herbs like basil, parsley, and oregano will elevate the flavor of your Italian meatballs. Chop them finely and incorporate them into the meat mixture for a burst of freshness.
- Soak the bread: To keep your meatballs moist and tender, soak stale bread or breadcrumbs in milk or broth before adding them to the meat mixture. This trick helps prevent dry and tough meatballs.
- Don’t overmix: When combining the ingredients, avoid overmixing the meat mixture. Overmixing can result in dense and tough meatballs. Mix until just combined to ensure a lighter and more tender texture.
- Keep hands moist: Wetting your hands slightly with water before shaping the meatballs will prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands. This makes it easier to roll the meatballs into uniform shapes.
- Heat the pan: Preheat your pan before adding the meatballs. This will help create a nice sear on the outside, sealing in the juices and enhancing the flavor.
- Bake or fry: While frying meatballs in a skillet creates a crispy exterior, baking them in the oven is a healthier and more hands-off option. Both methods yield delicious results, so choose the one that suits your preference.
- Simmer in sauce: To infuse your meatballs with even more flavor, let them simmer in a delicious tomato-based sauce for some time. This allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in mouthwatering meatballs.
- Rest before serving: Once cooked, allow the meatballs to rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring moist and succulent meatballs.
FAQs about Italian Meatballs
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Italian Meatball Recipe
Yield:
20
Prep Time:
10 minutes
Cook Time:
20 minutes
Total Time:
30 minutes
Indulge in the delectable flavors of Italy with these easy-to-make Italian meatballs. Bursting with savory herbs and spices, these tender meatballs are a true culinary delight. Each bite is packed with rich, meaty goodness. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a kitchen novice, these Italian meatballs are a breeze to whip up.
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Fresh Bread Crumbs
- ½ Cup Whole Milk
- 1 ½ Pounds Ground Beef
- ½ Pound Ground Pork
- 1 Small Yellow Onion, Finely Chopped
- 3 Cloves Garlic, Minced
- 1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ½ Teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- 1 Teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 2 Large Eggs
- 1 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese, Plus More For Servings
- ¼ Cup Chopped Fresh Italian Parsley, Plus More For Serving
- 2 Tablespoons Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 (32 Ounce) Jar Marinara Sauce, or Homemade Sauce
Instructions
- In a small bowl, add the fresh bread crumbs and whole milk, mix to combine. Allow to sit for 10 minutes or until the bread crumbs have soaked up all the milk.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, and oregano. Mix until combined using clean hands.
- To the ground beef mixture, add the soaked bread crumbs, 2 large eggs, grated parmesan cheese, and chopped fresh parsley. Mix again using clean hands until completely combined.
- Form the ground beef mixture into 1 ½” meatballs and set aside.
- In a large deep 2” deep skillet over medium-low heat, heat the olive oil. Working in batches, sear the meatballs on all sides, (about 2 minutes per side). The goal here is to just sear the meatballs enough to form a crust, not to cook them all the way through. Transfer the meatballs to a clean plate and set aside.
- In the same skillet over medium-low heat, bring the marinara sauce to a simmer, and scrape the bottom of the pan using a wooden spoon or spatula to get all that flavor. Return all the meatballs to the skillet, cover, and simmer over medium-low heat until the meatballs are cooked through about 8-10 minutes.
- Serve the meatballs with spaghetti or crust bread, top with more parmesan cheese, and chopped fresh parsley. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 401Total Fat: 24gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 129mgSodium: 600mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 31g
