Description
These Classic Italian Meatballs are tender, juicy, and packed with flavor, thanks to a mix of ground beef, breadcrumbs, garlic, and Italian seasonings. Served with marinara sauce and pasta or as a sub sandwich, these meatballs are a comforting, family-friendly dish that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (80% lean)
- 1/2 lb ground pork
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup marinara sauce (for serving)
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for frying)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture:
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, chopped parsley, egg, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper.
- Mix everything together gently with your hands or a spoon until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Form the Meatballs:
- Wet your hands with a little water to prevent the mixture from sticking. Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs, rolling them gently between your palms.
- Cook the Meatballs:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Working in batches, add the meatballs to the skillet and cook, turning occasionally, for about 6-8 minutes, or until browned on all sides and cooked through.
- Simmer in Marinara Sauce:
- Once all the meatballs are browned, add the marinara sauce to the skillet.
- Cover and simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes, allowing the meatballs to soak up the sauce and become tender.
- Serve:
- Serve the meatballs with pasta, on a sub roll, or simply with extra marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can bake the meatballs in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 20 minutes, instead of frying them.
- These meatballs can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 meatball
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 30mg