Italian Meatballs Recipe
Italian meatballs are tender and flavorful. They require a little bit of time, but the results are well worth it!
Servings: 18 meatballs
Calories: 179kcal
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 3/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup whole milk OR buttermilk
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb ground pork
- 1 egg lightly beaten
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tbsp fresh basil minced
- 3 tbsp fresh parsley minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/4 cup olive oil
For the Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp fresh basil chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 3 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
For the Meatballs
- In a small bowl combine bread crumbs and buttermilk, stir and let sit for 5 minutes or until the breadcrumbs are a moist.
- In a large mixing bowl combine the ground beef, ground pork, bread crumb mixture, egg, parmesan, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, basil, parsley, salt and pepper. Using your hands, gently mix the ingredients, being careful not to overwork it. Shape meat mixture into balls, approximately 1 1/2 inches in size.
- In a large skillet set over medium heat, add olive oil. When oil is shiny and hot, add the meatballs. You may need to do more than one batch depending on the size of your skillet. You don't want to overcrowd the pan or they won't brown properly. Brown the meatballs on all sides, rotating every 2-3 minutes or so. Remove meatballs and place on a paper towel lined plate.
For the Sauce
- In a large pot over medium heat, add the olive oil. When hot, add the onion and saute until tender and translucent. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant. Add the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, basil, parsley, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Bring to a rolling simmer, then reduce to low and allow to simmer for 10 minutes. Add cooked meatballs and the parmesan, simmer for an additional 50 minutes, taking care to check that the sauce isn't burning or that the meatballs aren't sticking. Serve with cooked spaghetti or place or use for meatball subs.
Notes
-Ground turkey can be subbed for the ground beef and ground pork.
Nutrition
Serving: 18serving | Calories: 179kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 39mg | Sodium: 287mg | Potassium: 165mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 235IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 1mg