Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®

italian meatballs

Recipe by
Francine Lizotte
Surrey South, BC

Savory, spicy and moist, they have an amazing combination of flavor with just the right amount of seasoning... perfect with spaghetti!

yield 35 meatballs
prep time 20 Min
cook time 1 Hr
method Bake

Ingredients For italian meatballs

  • MEATBALLS
  • 1/2 c
    milk
  • 4 slice
    bread, torn in small pieces
  • 1 lb
    (500 g.) italian sausage, casing removed
  • 1 lb
    (500 g.) lean ground beef
  • 1 lb
    (500 g.) ground pork
  • 2 lg
    free-run eggs, beaten
  • 2 c
    white onions, finely chopped
  • 1/2 c
    parmigiano-reggiano cheese, grated
  • 1/4 c
    fresh chopped parsley
  • 3 lg
    cloves garlic, pressed
  • 2 tsp
    italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp
    ground himalayan sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp
    red pepper flakes
  • freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • TOMATO SAUCE
  • 1 Tbsp
    olive oil
  • 1 1/2 c
    white onions, finely chopped
  • 1 1/2 c
    red peppers, finely chopped
  • 3 lg
    cloves garlic, pressed
  • 2 can
    (24 oz./700 g) tomato sauce
  • 1 Tbsp
    tomato paste
  • 1 Tbsp
    brown sugar, such as demerara
  • 1/4 c
    dry red wine
  • 1 tsp
    red pepper flakes
  • 3 tsp
    italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp
    ground himalayan sea salt, or to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper (i always use mixed peppercorns), to taste
  • 2 Tbsp
    fresh chopped parsley

How To Make italian meatballs

  • 1
    In a small pot on medium, add milk and heat until just warm. Soak torn bread in hot milk and stir gently until mixture is combined. Transfer to a bowl to cool off.
  • 2
    In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients including the milk/bread mixture. Place cling film on top, making sure it touches meat to prevent from dryness. Transfer to the fridge for 1 hour.
  • 3
    Preheat oven to 425ºF. 60 minutes later, wet hands slightly and form mixture into 2-inch balls. Place them on a large baking sheet lined with foil, slightly greased. Transfer to preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes.
  • 4
    Remove from heat and flip meatballs. Reduce heat to 375ºF and place them back in the oven; bake for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let them rest for 5 minutes before adding to a tomato sauce. Makes 35 meatballs
  • 5
    In the same large skillet over medium heat, add oil and when hot sauté onion and peppers for 3-4 minutes or until translucent. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 15 minutes before transferring meatballs in tomato sauce; coat them. Cover and simmer gently for 15-20 minutes while pasta is cooking.
  • 6
    To view this recipe on YouTube, click on this link >>>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tk_7bWNZgxQ
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