Best Homemade Meatballs
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5
51 reviews
Excellent
Best Homemade Meatballs
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Best Homemade Meatballs bring together ground beef (or a beef and Italian sausage mix) with sautéed onions, garlic, Parmesan cheese, parsley, eggs, and breadcrumbs blended into a moist mixture. The meatballs develop a savory crust through pan browning and finish cooking in the oven or sauce for tender, flavorful bites.
Description
This recipe starts by softening diced onions with olive oil and salt, adding garlic and crushed red pepper for subtle heat. The cooled onion mixture incorporates into ground meat alongside eggs, grated Parmesan, fresh Italian parsley, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper. Water or milk helps keep the mixture moist and binds ingredients together.
Shaped into golf ball-sized portions and browned in olive oil over medium-high heat, the meatballs form a caramelized exterior that seals in juices. They then finish cooking in a 350°F oven or simmer gently in marinara sauce to cook through evenly without drying out.
These meatballs offer a balance of savory, herby, and cheesy flavors with a tender texture. They work well served with marinara pasta, sandwiches, or as an appetizer.
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Ingredients
- 1 large onion (diced)
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic (finely minced)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 1/2 lbs ground beef (or a mixture of Beef and Italian Sausage)
- 2 large egg
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese grated
- 2 Tablespoons Italian parsley diced, fresh
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup water or milk
Marinara Sauce:
- https://www.modernhoney.com/homemade-marinara-sauce/
Instructions
- Coat a large skillet with 1 Tablespoon of olive oil and bring to medium-high heat. Add the diced onions to the pan and sprinkle with salt. Cook for 6-7 minutes. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper and cook for 1-2 minutes longer. Turn off heat and allow to cool.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, eggs, parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, salt, pepper, and breadcrumbs. Squish the mixture together with your hands.
- Add the slightly cooled onion mixture and squish the mixture together. Add the water and squish together again. The mixture will be very wet but trust the process.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Shape the meatballs into balls -- slightly larger than a golf ball. Makes 18-20 meatballs.
- Coat a large skillet with the remaining 2 Tablespoons of olive oil and bring to medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs on both sides. Be careful when turning the meatballs to make sure the meatballs stay together.
- Once they are browned, either place the oven-safe skillet with meatballs in it right into the oven or place the meatballs on a cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through.
- Make your homemade marinara sauce or use a store-bought jarred sauce, like Rao's. Fill a large pot or dutch oven with marinara sauce and bring to a simmer over medium-low heat. Carefully add the meatballs to the pot of sauce and let them simmer in the sauce.
- Serve with freshly grated parmigiano and finely diced Italian parsley or basil. Serve on a bed of pasta or polenta or just fill a bowl with the meatballs and eat with garlic cheese bread.
Notes
- Use an 80/20 lean-to-fat ground beef ratio or mix half Italian sausage for richer flavor and moisture.
- Sauté diced onions and garlic before adding to the meat mixture to soften flavors and moisture content.
- Grated Parmesan adds moisture and enhances taste, while fresh Italian parsley contributes a fresh, peppery note.
- Fresh or panko breadcrumbs prevent meatballs from becoming dense.
- Add water or milk for moisture, helping the meatballs stay juicy during cooking.
- Brown meatballs carefully to keep their shape before finishing in the oven or sauce.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
524kcal
(26%)
Carbohydrates
17g
(6%)
Protein
30g
(60%)
Fat
37g
(57%)
Saturated Fat
13g
(65%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
(12%)
Monounsaturated Fat
17g
(85%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
154mg
(51%)
Sodium
890mg
(37%)
Potassium
434mg
(9%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
359IU
(7%)
Vitamin C
4mg
(4%)
Calcium
272mg
(27%)
Iron
4mg
(22%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 524 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 524kcal | 26% |
| Carbohydrates | 17g | 6% |
| Protein | 30g | 60% |
| Fat | 37g | 57% |
| Saturated Fat | 13g | 65% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 17g | 85% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 154mg | 51% |
| Sodium | 890mg | 37% |
| Potassium | 434mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 359IU | 7% |
| Vitamin C | 4mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 272mg | 27% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
51 reviews
Excellent
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