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Meatballs al forno

Meatballs al forno are the A-listers of the meatball set.  They're on the menu at Nancy Silverton's Mozza restaurant in Los Angeles and they've got the reputation for being the best meatballs in the world.   Take a bite, I think you'll agree.

Prep Time
35 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 35 mins
chilling
1 hr
Total Time
2 hrs 45 mins
Servings: 24 meatballs
Calories: 185 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup diced day old crustless bread
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano (about 6 ounces)
  • 1/2 large yellow Spanish onion, minced (about 1 cup)
  • 2/3 cup finely chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
  • 2 extra large eggs
  • 4 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes, add more if you prefer
  • 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 pound ground pork
  • 1 pound ground veal (I used ground beef)
  • 6 1/2 ounces pancetta, finely minced
  • All-purpose flour for dredging (about a cup)
  • 1/4 cup extra- virgin olive oil, more if needed
  • 28 ounce jar of your favorite tomato sauce
  • 3 dried bay leaves
garnish
  • parmesan
  • fresh thyme leaves or more chopped parsley

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat the oven to 350F
  2. Put the stale bread in a small bowl, pour in the milk, and set aside to soak the bread for about 5 minutes.
  3. Put the Parmesan, onion, parsley, eggs, garlic, ground red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper in a large bowl and blend well. Add the pork, veal (or beef), and pancetta.
  4. Squeeze the bread to drain, and discard the excess milk. Add the bread to the bowl with the other ingredients and mix lightly with your fingertips. (I will sometimes do this in my KitchenAid mixer with the paddle attachment.) Make sure everything gets well combined, but don't over work, as this makes the meat tough.
  5. Use a 1/4 cup measure to scoop out the meat and roll each portion into a ball. Each meatball should be about 2 ounces.
  6. Pour the flour into a large bowl and lightly coat the meatballs in the flour, shaking off any excess. Place them on a platter or baking sheet. Cover with plastic and refrigerate for an hour (or overnight if you want to do this ahead.) This helps firm up the meatballs so they hold their shape.
  7. Pour the olive oil into a large Dutch oven or ovenproof skillet to about 1/4 inch deep. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it is almost smoking, about 2 to 3 minutes. Working in two batches, place the meatballs in a single layer in the pan and sear them until they are lightly browned all over, being gentle when turning them so they don't fall apart. Remove the meatballs to a plate.
  8. Wipe out the pan and then return the meatballs to the pan. Pour the tomato sauce over them.
  9. Add the bay leaves and and place the meatballs in the oven to gently cook for 1 hour. Let the meatballs rest, out of the oven, for 10 minutes before serving.
  10. To serve, lay the sauce down on a plate or bowl and top with the meatballs. Allow 3 per serving. Top with parmesan and fresh herbs.

Notes

  •  
  • *recipe lightly adapted from Nancy Silverton.  If you'd like more of Nancy's recipes, check out her book, The Mozza Cookbook, or any of her other cookbooks.
  • The original recipe includes a quart of chicken stock mixed with the tomato sauce, and then poured over the meatballs.  I almost always omit the stock, fyi, because I like a thicker sauce.
  • Even though it's not strictly authentic, go ahead and serve these meatballs with spaghetti or over polenta if you're craving more carbs.
  • I love to slice the leftover meatballs in half, load up a split French roll with the meat and extra sauce, and then top with slices of mozzarella ~ a little time under the broiler and you've got the best leftovers you've ever had!

Nutrition Information

Calories 185kcal (9%) Carbohydrates 6g (2%) Protein 12g (24%) Fat 12g (18%) Saturated Fat 4g (20%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 6g Trans Fat 0.01g Cholesterol 52mg (17%) Sodium 518mg (22%) Potassium 275mg (8%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 2g (4%) Vitamin A 361IU (7%) Vitamin C 5mg (6%) Calcium 100mg (10%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 24meatballs

Amount Per Serving

Calories 185

% Daily Value*

Calories 185kcal 9%
Carbohydrates 6g 2%
Protein 12g 24%
Fat 12g 18%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 6g 30%
Trans Fat 0.01g 1%
Cholesterol 52mg 17%
Sodium 518mg 22%
Potassium 275mg 6%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 2g 4%
Vitamin A 361IU 7%
Vitamin C 5mg 6%
Calcium 100mg 10%
Iron 1mg 6%

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