Description
Succulent Nonna’s Classic Italian Meatballs will transport pasta lovers straight to a Roman kitchen, brimming with rich family tradition. Tender beef blended with herbs and parmesan creates an authentic comfort dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Ingredients:
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- ½ lb (225 g) ground pork
Cheese and Binding Ingredients:
- ½ cup (50 g) breadcrumbs (Italian seasoned or plain)
- ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons milk
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried parsley)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Cooking Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (if pan-frying)
- 3 cups (720 ml) marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
Instructions
- Gently merge ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, eggs, milk, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper in a spacious mixing bowl. Utilize fingertips to combine ingredients minimally, ensuring the mixture remains delicate and loosely integrated.
- Fashion uniform spherical portions approximately 1.5 inches in diameter using clean hands or a compact measuring tool. Arrange meticulously on a clean surface, maintaining consistent sizing for even cooking.
- Warm olive oil in a substantial skillet over moderate temperature. Carefully introduce meatball clusters, rotating periodically to achieve a rich golden-brown exterior across all surfaces. This process typically requires 6-8 minutes of attentive monitoring.
- Simultaneously prepare marinara sauce in a complementary saucepan, heating thoroughly over medium flame. Delicately nestle browned meatballs into the simmering crimson liquid, allowing them to absorb robust flavors for 10-12 minutes.
- Present the succulent meatballs atop al dente pasta, nestled within crusty submarine rolls, or accompanied by rustic bread. Optional embellishments include freshly grated Parmesan and finely chopped parsley for an elegant finishing touch.
Notes
- Choose high-quality ground meats with some fat content to ensure juicy, flavorful meatballs that won’t dry out during cooking.
- Mix ingredients gently and minimally to prevent tough, dense meatballs by avoiding excessive compression of the meat mixture.
- Use a combination of ground beef and pork for richer flavor and better texture compared to using just one type of meat.
- Consider alternative binders like soaked breadcrumbs or grated zucchini for gluten-free or low-carb variations of the classic recipe.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg