Italian Meatballs
User Reviews
4.7
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
50 mins
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Total Time
1 hr 10 mins
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Servings
7
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Calories
327 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Dinner
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Cuisine
Italian
Italian Meatballs
Description
This Italian Meatballs recipe combines ground beef with breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, milk, smoked paprika, chili powder, dried basil, salt, and pepper to form flavorful balls baked until cooked through. Baking ensures even cooking and browning without frying.
The sauce is prepared by sautéing onions and garlic in butter before adding tomato sauce, sugar, beef broth or red wine, and seasonings. The baked meatballs are added to the sauce to simmer gently for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the meat to become tender and moist.
The result is a comforting dish featuring tender, seasoned meatballs coated in a savory tomato sauce with a hint of sweetness. This pairing is versatile, suitable for serving with mashed potatoes, spaghetti, or similar side dishes for a classic, hearty meal.
The recipe yields around 28 meatballs and suggests storing leftovers in airtight containers refrigerated up to four days or freezing up to three months. Variations allow using other ground meats and adjusting spices for personal preference.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1½ pound ground beef
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese grated
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder optional
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- 1 teaspoon basil dried
Sauce
- 3 tablespoon butter unsalted
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2½ cups tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ½ cup beef broth or red wine
- ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Make Meatballs: In a large bowl mix all the meatball ingredients together so that everything is well incorporated. Form the meatballs into small 1 inch balls. Use a small cookie scoop to make this easier. Place the meatballs on the baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes.
- Make Sauce: In the meantime melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium, add chopped onion and saute until the onion is translucent. Add the garlic and saute for another 30 seconds, making sure the garlic doesn't burn. Add the tomato sauce including the rest of the sauce ingredients and stir. Add the meatballs to the saucepan and make sure to toss them around a bit they are fully covered in sauce. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes stirring occasionally.
- Serve: Serve with mashed potatoes, spaghetti or your favorite side dish.
Notes
- The recipe makes about 28 meatballs; serving sizes assume 4 meatballs per portion with sauce.
- Avoid burning garlic while sautéing to maintain the sauce’s flavor integrity.
- Other ground meats like pork, chicken, or turkey can substitute or be combined with beef.
- Adjust seasonings as desired to customize flavor.
- Store cooked meatballs with sauce in airtight containers in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
- Freeze cooked meatballs and sauce in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 7Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 327 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 327kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 15g | 5% |
| Protein | 26g | 52% |
| Fat | 18g | 28% |
| Saturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 108mg | 36% |
| Sodium | 992mg | 41% |
| Potassium | 722mg | 15% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 753IU | 15% |
| Vitamin C | 8mg | 9% |
| Calcium | 148mg | 15% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.7
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