Description
Savory Italian meatballs shine as a hearty comfort dish from Naples. Perfectly seasoned beef combines with herbs, creating a memorable meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450 grams) ground beef
- 0.5 pound (225 grams) ground pork
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 0.5 cup (50 grams) breadcrumbs (Italian seasoned or plain)
- 0.25 cup (25 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tsp dried parsley)
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsps milk
- 2 tbsps olive oil (if pan-frying)
- 3 cups (720 milliliters) marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
Instructions
- Mixture Preparation: In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, eggs, milk, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Gently blend ingredients using fingertips to maintain meat’s delicate texture.
- Meatball Shaping: Form consistent, golf ball-sized meatballs using hands, ensuring uniform size for even cooking. Place shaped meatballs on a clean surface, ready for cooking.
- Cooking Technique: Choose between two methods – pan-searing or oven-roasting. For pan method, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Carefully brown meatballs in batches, rotating to achieve golden exterior, cooking for 6-8 minutes until fully cooked.
- Oven Roasting Alternative: Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet, roasting for 18-20 minutes until exterior turns golden brown and internal temperature reaches safe cooking point.
- Sauce Integration: Warm marinara sauce in a large saucepan over medium heat. Gently submerge cooked meatballs into the sauce, allowing flavors to meld for 10-15 minutes.
- Serving Presentation: Plate meatballs over pasta, inside crusty bread, or alongside preferred side dishes. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley sprigs for enhanced flavor and visual appeal.
Notes
- Meat Mix Gently: Avoid overworking the meat mixture to prevent tough, dense meatballs; use light touch when combining ingredients.
- Size Matters: Ensure uniform meatball size for consistent cooking; use a small ice cream scoop or tablespoon for precise portioning.
- Temperature Control: Check internal temperature reaches 160°F for ground meat safety; use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking.
- Moisture Retention: Add milk-soaked breadcrumbs to keep meatballs juicy; prevents dry, dense texture during cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg