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Best Homemade Meatballs

How to master the art of making easy homemade meatballs. This is the best homemade meatball recipe made with fresh ingredients! I will share all of my secrets to making the most perfect meatballs.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 524 kcal
Course: Appetizer , Dinner
Cuisine: Italian

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 eggs
  • 1 cup grated Parmigiano cheese
  • 2 Tablespoons fresh Italian parsley (diced)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup water or milk
Marinara Sauce:
  • https://www.modernhoney.com/homemade-marinara-sauce/

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. 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.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, eggs, parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, salt, pepper, and breadcrumbs. Squish the mixture together with your hands.
  3. 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.
  4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Shape the meatballs into balls -- slightly larger than a golf ball. Makes 18-20 meatballs.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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

  • Recipe adapted from Anne Burrell Excellent Meatballs
  • Ground Beef (can use a mix of Italian sausage and ground beef) -- I suggest using 80/20.
  • Onion -- finely dice the onions and cook until softened before adding to the meatball mix.
  • Garlic -- use minced garlic.
  • Eggs -- this acts as a binder to keep the meatballs together.
  • Grated Parmigiano -- serves two purposes -- to keep them moist and soft because of the fat content and is a flavor powerhouse.
  • Fresh Italian Parsley -- adds a clean, fresh, slightly peppery taste.
  • Breadcrumbs -- use fresh homemade breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs, or original breadcrumbs in this meatball recipe.
  • Water or Milk -- this helps to seal in the moisture in the meatballs.
  • Salt and Pepper -- be generous with your salt and pepper!

Nutrition Information

Calories 524kcal (26%) Carbohydrates 17g (6%) Protein 30g (60%) Fat 37g (57%) Saturated Fat 13g (65%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 17g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 154mg (51%) Sodium 890mg (37%) Potassium 434mg (12%) 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

% 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.