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meatball recipe - A plate of juicy Italian meatballs covered in red sauce and fresh parsley.

The Ultimate Italian Meatball Recipe

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A classic, tender, and juicy Italian meatball recipe featuring a blend of meats and a traditional panade for the perfect texture.

  • Total Time: PT50M
  • Yield: 24 meatballs 1x

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb ground beef (80/20)
0.5 lb ground pork
0.5 lb ground veal
2 slices white bread, crusts removed
1/3 cup whole milk
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano
1/4 cup fresh Italian parsley, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil (for searing)

Instructions

Step 1: In a small bowl, soak the bread pieces in milk for 10 minutes to create a panade. Mash with a fork until smooth.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the beef, pork, veal, eggs, cheese, parsley, garlic, salt, pepper, and the prepared panade.
Step 3: Gently mix the ingredients using your hands until just combined. Do not overwork the meat.
Step 4: Shape the mixture into 1.5-inch balls (about the size of a golf ball).
Step 5: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the meatballs in batches until browned on all sides.
Step 6: Transfer the browned meatballs into a pot of simmering marinara sauce and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.

Notes

For best results, let the meatball mixture chill in the fridge for 30 minutes before shaping.

  • Prep Time: PT20M
  • Cook Time: PT30M
  • Category: Main Dishes & Savory Recipes
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 3 Meatballs
  • Calories: 320 kcal
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 540mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 7g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 12g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 24g
  • Cholesterol: 85mg