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The BEST Italian Meatballs Recipe


  • Author: mia-harper
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Non-Vegetarian

Description

Classic Italian meatballs that are tender, flavorful, and smothered in rich marinara sauce, perfect for any meal.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (85%-15% meat to fat ratio)
  • 1 lb ground pork
  • 1 thick slice of bread (soaked in milk)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup minced yellow onion
  • 3 pressed garlic cloves
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • Fresh basil and parsley (for flavor)
  • 3 cups good quality marinara sauce, warmed
  • 23 tbsp olive oil for cooking
  • 1 tsp kosher coarse or sea salt (to taste)
  • 1/41/2 tsp black pepper (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Combine the ground beef, ground pork, eggs, grated parmesan cheese, minced onion, pressed garlic, fresh herbs, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. After squeezing out the milk, add the soaked bread.
  3. Heat the olive oil in an oven-safe pan over medium heat. Form the meat mixture into uniform balls, about the size of a golf ball. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the meatballs to the pan and sear them.
  4. Pour the warm marinara sauce over the seared meatballs and transfer the pan to the preheated oven. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until cooked through.
  5. Garnish with extra basil and grated parmesan before serving.

Notes

For best results, don’t skip soaking the bread and ensure the oil is hot before adding the meatballs.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 600mg
  • Fat: 28g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 16g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 22g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Cholesterol: 150mg