Italian Meatballs are made with a combination of ground beef and pork, fresh breadcrumbs soaked in milk, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and herbs. The meatballs are seared until browned, then simmered in marinara sauce until tender and cooked through.
I grew up around plenty of Italian food in Central New York, and a good homemade meatball has always been one of those comfort foods that feels like home. I like using both beef and pork because it gives the meatballs great flavor, while the milk-soaked breadcrumbs help keep them tender.
Why I Love Italian Meatballs
About the Ingredients ⭐
- Fresh Bread Crumbs: Soaking fresh breadcrumbs in milk helps keep the meatballs soft and tender.
- Whole Milk: Adds moisture and softens the breadcrumbs before they’re mixed into the meat.
- Ground Beef: Makes up most of the meatball mixture and gives the meatballs their hearty flavor.
- Ground Pork: Adds extra flavor and moisture to the meatballs.
- Yellow Onion: Finely chop the onion so it blends evenly throughout the meat mixture.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds plenty of savory flavor.
- Salt & Pepper: Simple seasonings that bring out the flavors of the meat and Parmesan.
- Oregano: Adds classic Italian herb flavor.
- Eggs: Help bind the meatball mixture together.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds salty, savory flavor throughout the meatballs. I like having extra for serving.
- Fresh Italian Parsley: Adds fresh flavor and color. Save a little extra for garnish.
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Used to brown the meatballs before they finish cooking in the sauce.
- Marinara Sauce: Use your favorite jarred marinara or homemade sauce for simmering the meatballs.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
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 I Found Helpful 💙
- Soak the breadcrumbs first: Let the fresh breadcrumbs absorb the milk before adding them to the meat. This helps keep the meatballs tender.
- Don’t overmix: Mix the ingredients just until everything is combined. Overworking the mixture can make the meatballs tough.
- Keep them the same size: Use a cookie scoop or measuring spoon so the meatballs cook evenly.
- Brown them in batches: Give the meatballs room in the skillet so they brown instead of steam.
- Finish them in the sauce: After browning, let the meatballs simmer in the marinara until they reach 160°F in the center.
Frequently Asked Questions
More Meatball Recipes I Love 💙
Yield: 24
Italian Meatball Recipe
No Ratings
Italian Meatballs are tender beef and pork meatballs simmered in marinara sauce with Parmesan, garlic, and herbs.
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Total Time
30 minutes
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!
Notes
Soak the fresh breadcrumbs in milk before mixing. Mix the meat mixture just until combined, and brown the meatballs in batches so they don't steam. Finish cooking them in the marinara sauce until the centers reach 160°F.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
4Amount Per Serving: Calories: 610Total Fat: 33gSaturated Fat: 13gUnsaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 153mgSodium: 1624mgCarbohydrates: 42gFiber: 3gSugar: 6gProtein: 36g
