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Italian Meatballs Recipe (Spicy)

These Italian meatballs are made with a mix of ground beef and veal along with cayenne and Calabrian chili paste for a spicy twist on traditional meatballs.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 16 meatballs
Calories: 228 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup plain bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
  • 1 onion diced
  • 1-2 serrano or cayenne peppers chopped (optional, for spicy)
  • 3 cloves garlic chopped
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 pound ground veal (or use ground pork, or a mix)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley
  • 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasonings
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (use 1 tablespoon for spicier)
  • salt and black pepper to taste
EXTRA SPICY OPTIONS
  • 1-2 tablespoons Calabrian chili paste
  • 1 teaspoon hot paprika or cayenne
EASY SPICY MARINARA SAUCE
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion chopped
  • 5 garlic cloves chopped
  • 4 28-ounces cans fire roasted tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup Calabrian chili paste optional
  • 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Add the bread crumbs and milk to a small bowl and soak for 20 minutes. It will form a paste, which helps with the meatball moisture as well as binding.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive a large pan to medium heat and add onion and optional peppers with a bit of olive oil. Cook for 10 minutes, or until very soft and starting to caramelize. Add garlic and stir. Cook for 1 minute until it smells good! Remove from heat and cool.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, add beef, veal (and/or pork), bread crumb mixture, cooked onion mixture, Parmesan cheese, Italian herbs, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper, and optional SPICY ingredients. Hand mix to combine, but not too much. Overmixing will make it become mealy.
  4. Form into 16 2-ounce meatballs and refrigerate, covered, until ready to use.
  5. Bring your large pan back to medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add meatballs and sear them about 1 minute per side, rolling them around a bit to get most of the sides. Get them nicely browned. Drain some of the grease if desired.
  6. Add the meatballs to your simmering spicy marinara sauce and simmer 20 minutes, or until cooked through.
SPICY MARINARA SAUCE
    Cup of Yum
  1. Heat the oil in a large pot to medium heat. Add the onion and cook 5 minutes to soften, stirring often.
  2. Add the garlic and cook 1-2 minutes.
  3. Add the tomatoes, optional Calabrian chili paste, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Simmer at least 30 minutes to let the flavor develop. You can easily simmer 1 hour or longer.
  5. Taste and adjust for salt and serve.

Notes

  • TO BAKE THE MEATBALLS
  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
  • Bake the meatballs on a lightly oiled baking sheet until browned and cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes, or until browned and cooked through. (You can also brown them in a hot pan first to get a nice brown crust, 1 minute per side, then bake 10-15 minutes).
  • Bake the meatballs on a lightly oiled baking sheet until browned and cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes, or until browned and cooked through. (You can also brown them in a hot pan first to get a nice brown crust, 1 minute per side, then bake 10-15 minutes).
  • You can then simmer in the marinara sauce until warmed through.
  • You can then simmer in the marinara sauce until warmed through.

Nutrition Information

Calories 228kcal (11%) Carbohydrates 9g (3%) Protein 13g (26%) Fat 16g (25%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 8g Trans Fat 0.4g Cholesterol 67mg (22%) Sodium 212mg (9%) Potassium 264mg (8%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 3g (6%) Vitamin A 585IU (12%) Vitamin C 5mg (6%) Calcium 84mg (8%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 16meatballs

Amount Per Serving

Calories 228

% Daily Value*

Calories 228kcal 11%
Carbohydrates 9g 3%
Protein 13g 26%
Fat 16g 25%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 8g 40%
Trans Fat 0.4g 20%
Cholesterol 67mg 22%
Sodium 212mg 9%
Potassium 264mg 6%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 3g 6%
Vitamin A 585IU 12%
Vitamin C 5mg 6%
Calcium 84mg 8%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.