Is there anyone in the world who doesn’t love Italian Meatballs? Everyone’s face lights up when they realize they’re about to dig into a tender meatball packed with beef and pork. Seasoned with playful Italian herbs, these meatballs are perfect whether balanced atop a plate of spaghetti or nestled in a sandwich. You can even freeze Italian Meatballs for easy meal preparation!
Ingredients
- 3 slices white bread, crusts removed, diced
- 2/3 cup cold water
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1 large egg
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (if sautéing)
Directions
Step 1 –Combine the diced bread in a large bowl with the cold water.
Step 2 –Set the soaked bread aside for 5 minutes, then mash it with a fork.
Step 3 –Into the bowl of mashed bread, add the ground beef, ground pork, parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic cloves, parsley, salt, and black pepper.
Step 4 –Use your hands to stir the mixture together, just until well combined. Be careful not to overmix it, as that will result in tough meatballs.
Step 5 –Portion the meatball mixture onto a lined baking sheet (about 2 tablespoons per meatball).
Step 6 –With wet hands, roll meatballs into 1 1/2 inch diameter balls.
To sauté:
Step 7 –Heat a large non-stick pan over the stove-top on medium heat.
Step 8 –Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
Step 9 –Once the oil is hot, add the meatballs to the skillet, placing them one at a time, and cooking in batches to get a good sear.
Step 10 –Turn the meatballs every 2 minutes until evenly browned and the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F, about 6-8 minutes total.
To bake:
Step 11 –Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Step 12 –Place the meatballs on a lined baking sheet 2 inches apart.
Step 13 –Bake until fully cooked and centers reach 160 degrees F, about 20-23 minutes.
Step 14 –If you want a prettier color to your meatballs, broil for the last 2-3 minutes.
Step 15 –Serve hot!
