Bobby Flay's Italian Meatball Recipe
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
1 hr
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Total Time
1 hr 15 mins
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Servings
25 meatballs
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Calories
97 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Italian
Bobby Flay's Italian Meatball Recipe
Description
Bobby Flay's Italian Meatball Recipe features a mix of ground beef, pork, and veal combined with Parmesan cheese, garlic, and breadcrumbs, shaped into meatballs and browned to develop texture. These meatballs are then simmered in a robust homemade marinara sauce made from crushed tomatoes, sautéed onions, garlic, bay leaf, parsley, red pepper flakes, and basil, allowing the flavors to meld over a 45-minute simmer. The slow cooking softens the meatballs, infusing them with the tomato-based sauce’s aromatics and herbs. This dish delivers a comforting texture contrast between the browned exterior and tender interior of the meatballs, offset by the bright, herbal tomato sauce. It pairs well with pasta like spaghetti or toasted garlic bread, making it a versatile option for a satisfying meal. Adding red wine to the sauce enhances its depth, while browning the meatballs before slow cooking improves texture and flavor.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound ground pork *see notes
- 1/2 pound veal see notes, ground
- 2 egg lightly beaten, large
- 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese grated into a powder
- 4 cloves garlic finely diced
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs preferably homemade, Italian style
- 1/4 cup parsley finely chopped
- salt freshly ground
- black pepper freshly ground
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Homemade Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 Spanish onion finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic finely chopped and sauteed
- 56 oz. crushed tomatoes
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 parsley bunch
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
- salt to taste, freshly ground
- black pepper to taste, freshly ground
- 6 basil sliced into strips, leaves
Instructions
- Note: Use a large enough pot to hold the marinara sauce and the meatballs. We're browning the meatballs in the pot first and cooking the sauce in the same pot after for extra flavor.
Meatballs
- Gently combine all meatball ingredients, (except the oil), in a large bowl, don't overwork the meat, we want tender meatballs.
- Roll into 1+1/2 inch balls.
- Heat the oil in a large sauce pan or dutch oven over medium heat.
- Give each meatball a final roll and add them to the pot.
- Brown them in batches, for a few minutes on each side. They won't be cooked all the way through.
- Remove and set aside until the sauce is prepared, then simmer them in the sauce for 45 minutes.
Homemade Sauce
- Use the same saucepan as you used to brown the meatballs. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and saute until they’re softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic and heat for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the crushed tomatoes.
- Add the bay leaf, bunch of parsley, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat back down to a light simmer.
- Add the meatballs and toss them with the sauce.
- Cover the pot and simmer for 45 minutes.
- Remove the bay leaf and parsley prior to serving. Stir in the basil. Serve, and enjoy!
Notes
- Use equal parts ground pork and beef if veal is unavailable or undesired.
- Adding 3-4 tablespoons of red wine, such as Chianti or Merlot, to the sauce can enhance its flavor.
- For slow cooker preparation, brown meatballs first in a skillet, then cover with sauce and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours, reducing heat if the sauce begins to bubble vigorously.
- Serve meatballs with spaghetti or alongside garlic bread with cheese for a complete meal.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 25meatballs
Amount Per Serving
Calories 97 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 97kcal | 5% |
| Carbohydrates | 6g | 2% |
| Protein | 7g | 14% |
| Fat | 5g | 8% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 34mg | 11% |
| Sodium | 140mg | 6% |
| Potassium | 286mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 225IU | 5% |
| Vitamin C | 7mg | 8% |
| Calcium | 45mg | 5% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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