Description
Hearty “classic Italian meatballs” deliver authentic Mediterranean flavor straight from grandma’s kitchen. Perfectly seasoned beef blends with herbs, promising a comforting meal that connects generations at the dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (450 grams) ground beef
- 0.5 pound (225 grams) ground pork
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
Dry Ingredients and Seasonings:
- 0.5 cup (50 grams) breadcrumbs (Italian seasoned or plain)
- 0.25 cup (25 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried parsley)
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Cooking Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (if pan-frying)
- 3 cups (720 milliliters) marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
Instructions
- In a capacious mixing vessel, amalgamate ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, eggs, milk, minced garlic, chopped parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Delicately fold ingredients together using fingertips, ensuring minimal manipulation to preserve tenderness.
- Utilizing hands or a compact measuring implement, craft uniform spherical morsels approximately 1.5 inches in diameter. Arrange meticulously on a clean surface, maintaining consistent sizing for balanced cooking.
- Select cooking methodology: For pan-searing, warm olive oil in a expansive skillet over moderate thermal intensity. Carefully introduce meatballs in measured batches, rotating periodically to achieve comprehensive caramelization, approximately 6-8 minutes.
- Alternatively, position meatballs on parchment-lined baking sheet within preheated oven calibrated to 400°F. Roast until exterior develops rich golden-brown coloration and internal temperature reaches safe consumption levels, roughly 18-20 minutes.
- Activate marinara sauce in a generously proportioned saucepan over medium thermal setting. Gently nestle prepared meatballs into simmering liquid, allowing flavor integration for 10-15 minutes.
- Transfer culinary creation to serving platform – atop pasta, nestled within crusty bread, or accompanied by complementary side dishes. Embellish with additional grated Parmesan and fresh parsley sprigs for enhanced visual and gustatory appeal.
Notes
- Customize the meat blend by mixing different ground meats like veal or lamb for richer flavor complexity.
- Use fresh breadcrumbs instead of store-bought for lighter, more tender meatballs that absorb seasonings better.
- Chill the meatball mixture for 30 minutes before shaping to help them hold together and prevent crumbling during cooking.
- Reduce fat content by using lean ground beef or substituting half the meat with ground turkey for a healthier version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg