Italian-American Meatballs

  4.0 – 6 reviews  • Meatballs
Total: 1 hr 10 min
Prep: 30 min
Cook: 40 min
Yield: 18 meatballs
Total: 1 hr 10 min
Prep: 30 min
Cook: 40 min
Yield: 18 meatballs

Ingredients

  1. 2 slices white sandwich bread, stale and crusts removed (see note)
  2. 1/2 pound ground pork
  3. 1/2 pound ground veal
  4. 1/2 pound ground beef chuck
  5. 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
  6. 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons grated Pecorino Romano
  7. 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
  8. 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  9. 1/2 medium onion, grated (about 1/4 cup)
  10. 2 cloves garlic, minced
  11. 1 large egg, beaten
  12. Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  13. 1/3 cup olive oil, divided
  14. 3 cups QUICK MARINARA SAUCE (see recipe)
  15. 1 pound cooked spaghetti or linquini
  16. On hero rolls for sandwiches
  17. 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  18. 1/4 medium onion, diced (about 3 tablespoons)
  19. 3 cloves garlic, chopped
  20. 3 1/2 cups whole, peeled, canned tomatoes in puree, (one 28-ounce can), roughly chopped
  21. Sprig of fresh thyme
  22. Sprig of fresh basil
  23. 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  24. Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Grate the bread or pulse into crumbs in a food processor. In a small bowl toss the breadcrumbs with 1/3 cup cold water to re-hydrate.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, pork, veal, beef, Parmesan, Pecorino, parsley, salt, onion, garlic, and egg and mix until combined. Season the meat mixture with pepper.
  3. Using your hands, gently form the meat mixture into 18 slightly larger than golf ball-sized balls. (Packing the meat mixture too tightly together will result in tough meatballs). Refrigerate for at least an hour or up to 24.
  4. Heat half the oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until well browned on all sides, about 6 minutes. Transfer the meatballs to a plate. Drain the oil and wipe out the skillet, return to the heat, and repeat with the remaining oil and meatballs.
  5. Drain and wipe out the skillet again. Return all the meatballs to the skillet and pour in the marinara sauce. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer, covered, swirling the pan occasionally, until the meatballs are cooked through about 15 minutes. The cheese in the meat balls will start to melt when the meatballs are ready. Serve immediately with spaghetti or on sandwiches. These meatballs can be stored, covered in the refrigerator for 3 days or frozen for up to 6 weeks.
  6. Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Saute the onion and garlic, stirring, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and the herb sprigs and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.
  7. Remove and discard the herb sprigs. Stir in the salt and season with pepper to taste. Use now, or store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 of 18 servings
Calories 233
Total Fat 13 g
Saturated Fat 4 g
Carbohydrates 16 g
Dietary Fiber 3 g
Sugar 4 g
Protein 13 g
Cholesterol 39 mg
Sodium 414 mg
Serving Size 1 of 18 servings
Calories 233
Total Fat 13 g
Saturated Fat 4 g
Carbohydrates 16 g
Dietary Fiber 3 g
Sugar 4 g
Protein 13 g
Cholesterol 39 mg
Sodium 414 mg

Reviews

John Rodriguez
A winner every time!
Felicia Williams
tasted so bad i thorw up all night
Sarah Bridges
I’ve made this recipe twice, the first time using the pork,veal, ground chuck and the next time using only pork/ground chuck. There was no noticeable difference. The second time I made the recipe I discovered I was out of Pecorino Romano, so I used all Parmesan and it was really great. I froze half the meatballs and they freeze very well. I skipped making the sauce and used bottled sauce. Yum!
Charles Peck
Theses were great… served to friends who now think i’m some kind of food god. which is funny cause i hardly ever cook.
David Nelson
we all thought they were great

 

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