topic Can Anyone Share There Favorite Italian Meatball Recipe? in Kitchen

Can Anyone Share There Favorite Italian Meatball Recipe?

cuddlesmama — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 10:30:08 GMT

I have tried so many Italian meatball recipes and they come out either to dry or just tasteless and I do put in seasonings.Anyone have a recipe they would like to share? Thanks.

Re: Can Anyone Share There Favorite Italian Meatball Recipe?

ID2 — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 10:43:41 GMT

Kirkland brand, frozen food isle at Costco. I gave up making meatballs years ago. Only buy frozen now.

Re: Can Anyone Share There Favorite Italian Meatball Recipe?

Harpa — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 11:32:11 GMT

Here's mine, but I won't put in any ratios. These are always tender and very good!

Ground chuck

salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, sweet basil, minced garlic

chopped onion & celery

fresh chopped flat-leaf parsley

1 egg

parmesan cheese

sprinkle of bread crumbs -- Italian or Panko -- (if you use too much, the meatballs get tough)

heavy cream (which helps to hold together & mellows everything out)

Don't overmix. And don't brown beforehand.

These are the "secrets."

Re: Can Anyone Share There Favorite Italian Meatball Recipe?

April-Rose — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 11:03:43 GMT

I am vegetarian, but I make Rocco Dispirto Mama's Meatball recipe for my Italian husband. He claims they are better than meatballs made by his Italian mother and grandmother.

I throw the ingredient (ALL EXCEPT THE MEAT) in a food processor for easy prep. Do not overmix when you add the liquid to the meat. I use homemade chicken stock in a more concentrated form and add a bit extra red pepper. Also, I omit the veal and use 1/3 pork and 2/3 beef. A handy ice cream style scoop, will make all the meatballs the same size. Cook (saute) in EVOO.

Usually, I double the recipe and freeze the meatballs in freezer containers, make homemade sauce, (an easy one is Carla Snyder's marinara sauce) and I cook up rigatoni (do not overcook) placing in freezer bags with a little EVOO (toss around to coat the pasta). All freeze well and it makes for many easy instant meals for my spouse.

Re: Can Anyone Share There Favorite Italian Meatball Recipe?

jackthebear — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 11:28:26 GMT

meatball mix . which is 3 different meats beef pork lamb . usually

tastes different

i use bread crumbs, some italian seasoning not too much, egg , some parm cheese

Re: Can Anyone Share There Favorite Italian Meatball Recipe?

mary0129 — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 11:46:54 GMT

Harpa, so you drop them into pot of sauce to cook? How long does that take? TIA, Mary

Re: Can Anyone Share There Favorite Italian Meatball Recipe?

Pook — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 12:11:31 GMT

@cuddlesmama I don't have a written down recipe but this is pretty much what my grandmother from Italy and my mother did. They used beef, veal and pork but I don't use the veal. I use half a pound of ground pork - could be sausage for each pound of beef and about 30 slices of ground pepperoni. To that I add 1 large egg for about each pound of meat. I use a lot of Italian seasoning and garlic salt then add about a cup of spaghetti sauce. Then I add enough seasoned bread crumbs to make the mixture firm but still moist. I usually bake mine (400 for about 25 minutes) but you can pan cook them also. I often add some fresh grated parmisan cheese for added flavor.

I always make a lot and freeze the meatballs after baking.

Re: Can Anyone Share There Favorite Italian Meatball Recipe?

CinNC — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 12:17:51 GMT

I use Fabio Viviani "Moms Meatballs" recipe. The only different thing I do is add a second egg white or whole egg as I cook them in sauce in my slow cooker and they seem to hold together a bit more. (and the leanest ground beef I can find)

1 lb. ground beef
4 oz. whole milk ricotta cheese
1 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 egg
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 shallots, minced
1 tbsp. olive oil
Salt and pepper

Coat your hands in olive oil, and form balls slightly bigger than a golf ball.
Heat the tomato sauce in a saucepan over medium heat, then drop the meatballs into the sauce and add enough water to allow the sauce to reduce and simmer but not so much that the sauce is totally liquid. Cook for about 10 minutes on one side, then turn the meatballs over, add some more water, and cook for another 10 minutes, using a spoon to cover the meatballs with the sauce as they simmer. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes.
Serve with chopped parsley, salt and pepper, more Parmigianino- Reggiano, and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil, of course!

Re: Can Anyone Share There Favorite Italian Meatball Recipe?

Eileen in Virginia — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 13:45:59 GMT

Welsley Farms Italian meatballs at BJ’s. I used to make my own with ground pork and veal until I came across these. They’re not quite as good as my homemade meatballs, but they’re fully cooked and you just have to drop them into a pot of simmering spaghetti sauce. The convenience is worth it, especially when I was working.

Re: Can Anyone Share There Favorite Italian Meatball Recipe?

queendiva — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 14:03:01 GMT

@cuddlesmama : regardless of what recipe you use, you must not skimp on the quality and quantity of the cheese.

I like recipes by Tony Danza and Lidia B. I cook the meatballs as Lidia does- right in the simmering sauce. No frying or baking beforehand. I like meatballs tender, not firm or crisp on the outside.

Re: Can Anyone Share There Favorite Italian Meatball Recipe?

Bhvbum — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 14:25:32 GMT

Most meatball recipes are fairly similar, my secret is I put a 1/2 of breakfast pork sausage that comes in a roll mixed with my ground beef. I also do the same thing for my meatloaf.

Re: Can Anyone Share There Favorite Italian Meatball Recipe?

walker — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 14:27:12 GMT

This is a recipe I have used for several years. It is easy to fix and I like baking them instead of frying. I really like to double the recipe(easy) using 1# ground beef and 1# Italian sausage. They freeze well.

Italian Meatballs

1 lb. lean ground beef

1/4 cup onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2/3 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs

1 egg, beaten

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 tablespoon parsley, fresh or dry

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together all ingredients in a bowl. Form into balls using rounded tablespoons or scoop to your desired size. Place meatballs in a 9x13" pan. Bake 20-25 minutes. Serve with marinara sauce.

Re: Can Anyone Share There Favorite Italian Meatball Recipe?

MissMaggieMoo — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 14:39:02 GMT

@cuddlesmama This is my mom's recipe (we are Italian). I do not bake my meatballs or pan fry them. They cook in my spaghetti sauce.

1 lb. ground beef

1 lb. Italian sausage (I like hot Italian sausage I get from Fresh Thyme market)

2 eggs

1/2 cup bread crumbs (I like panko bread crumbs)

1/2 cup parmesan cheese (freshly grated or in the plastic container)

1 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper (I like freshly ground)

2 cloves of garlic minced (you can use 1 tsp. garlic powder)

1 tbsp. dried parsley (can use 2 tbsp. fresh)

Mix all ingredients together. Don't over mix. Roll into 1-inch or so balls and drop into spaghetti sauce. Need enough sauce to cover top of balls. Let simmer (covered) for an hour (or more if you have time). Meatballs will be done in an hour. You can cook for up to 2 hours if you want.

You can 1/2 the recipe if you want. Don't 1/2 the garlic or parsley.

If you have any questions, just let me know.

Re: Can Anyone Share There Favorite Italian Meatball Recipe?

Hoovermom — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 14:56:05 GMT

All of these recipes sound delicious. Since I am not the cook like all of you are, I purchase the Costco frozen meatballs. I entertain a lot and always get compliments on my "catering skills" LOL (always tell them it is Costco).

Re: Can Anyone Share There Favorite Italian Meatball Recipe?

Grammycakes — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 15:08:56 GMT

April-Rose,

I've searched for Cara Snyder's marinara recipe, but can't find it. Could you point me in the right direction? Thanks!

Re: Can Anyone Share There Favorite Italian Meatball Recipe?

April-Rose — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 17:03:43 GMT

Sorry to make you hunt around for the info. In grabbing my recipes, and I realized I have made a few changes from the original versions. These are my changes, based on the original recipes by Carla Snyder and Rocco Dispirto.

Carla is a chef, cookbook author and cooking instructor. She has many recipes online.

MARINARA SAUCE: This is my doubled recipe version with a few changes.

4T. EVOO-add extra if your saute pan becomes dry

6 cloves garlic minced (I use more for my garlic loving husband)

1 onion or 1 c. peeled and chopped onion

1 cup peeled and chopped carrot

1 c. celery chopped

1 t. dried oregano

1 t. dried thyme

1t. red pepper flakes (not in original recipe)

4 T. tomato puree (I often do not have and leave it out)

2 (28 ounce cans) crushed tomatoes (I like Cento or Muir Glen brand)

salt (kosher) and pepper to taste

Heat pan over medium and add EVOO. I put onion, carrot, celery and garlic in food processor or vitamix to save time. Add the mixture to the heated EVOO.

Cook veggies for 5-10 minutes until the onions are translucent. If you saute the veggies seperately try this order: Onion, carrots, celery and garlic (garlic last so it does not burn).

Add canned tomatoes and spices and simmer on the stovetop. I let mine cook for a couple of hours for more flavor.

MEATBALLS: Again, this is a doubled recipe with a few modifications

2/3 cup concentrated chicken broth ( i make mine, but you can purchase good quality

and reduce on stovetop for extra taste)

1/2 c. onion (dice if chopping items or quarter if using food processor)

2 cloves garlic (I use more)

1/2 c. flat leaf parsley

2 lb. ground beef

1 lb. ground pork (I use the Italian seasoned)

2/3 c. fine bradcrumbs

4 eggs (lightly beaten)

1/2 c. parmigiano-reggiano cheese grated (buy good quality)

2 t. red pepper flakes

2 t. kosher salt

1/2 c. EVOO

Original recipe calls for equal parts of beef, veal and pork. I use 2:1 beef/pork.

I place the onion, garlic, parsley, cheese, red pepper flakes and salt in a food processor. Place the food processed mixture in a bowl and mix with the chicken stock, breadcrumbs and lightly beaten eggs. Add the meat and mix, but do not overmix or overwork the meatballs with warm hands. I use a 1.5" scoop to keep them uniform.

Heat pan over medium or slightly higher heat. My cooktop has 10 heat settings and I use #6. Add EVOO and heat. Saute meatballs turning as they cook. I check mine with a timer and test one by cutting in half. Drain on paper towel. Freezes well as does the sauce.

I hope I didn't mess anything up. Also, I didn't mean to insult anyone with the crazy instructions. Sme people are new to cooking. Good luck!

Re: Can Anyone Share There Favorite Italian Meatball Recipe?

Harpa — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 17:10:24 GMT

@mary0129

I make meatballs around 2" in diameter. DH starts the sauce around 7:30; low heat. They are done by 10:30, even sooner, because DH is in there getting one before pasta is cooked. I eat one around 11:00 before pasta.

I usually do 4 lbs. of meat, and w/ all the accoutrements, I get around 32 meatballs, which are frozen in packs of 4 -- then thawed the day before. If I forget to thaw, they still get done around the same time.

Re: Can Anyone Share There Favorite Italian Meatball Recipe?

Grammycakes — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 18:12:26 GMT

Thank you! No offense taken with the crazy instructions. I love it! I did find several of her recipes, but coudn't find the marinara sauce. Also love that you doubled it - helps with my math skills!

Re: Can Anyone Share There Favorite Italian Meatball Recipe?

rrpell — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 23:35:49 GMT

I like to take a tablespoon of the uncooked mixture, form it into a patty and fry it up. That way, I can taste it and adjust the seasoning before I cook up the rest.

Re: Can Anyone Share There Favorite Italian Meatball Recipe?

cuddlesmama — Sun, 24 Mar 2019 10:58:55 GMT

Thank you so much everyone for your recipes!! I appreciate all of the work in writing out the recipes. I will definitely try these and I always baked my meatballs but I will have them cook in the sauce next time as some have stated they do.