Italian Meatballs

Italian Meatballs are a classic family favourite that combines tender meat with a rich tomato sauce. This recipe uses simple ingredients to create a meal that tastes like traditional home cooking. You can serve them with pasta or crusty bread to soak up all the sauce. It is a reliable dish that works well for both busy weeknights and relaxed weekend dinners.
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Photo of the finished dish for the recipe Italian Meatballs

Reasons to choose italian meatballs

This recipe for Italian Meatballs is very easy to follow and uses basic kitchen staples. The combination of beef and parmesan ensures the meat stays juicy while cooking in the pan. Making the sauce in the same pan helps to capture all the flavour from the seared meat. It is a satisfying meal that everyone at the table will enjoy.

How to cook italian meatballs

Step 1
Mix ingredients: Place the beef mince, breadcrumbs, egg, grated parmesan, crushed garlic, and dried oregano into a large bowl. Use your hands or a spoon to mix everything together until it is well combined. Season the mixture with a little salt and pepper. This base makes the Italian Meatballs very flavourful.
Step 2
Shape meatballs: Take a small amount of the mixture and roll it between your palms to form a ball about the size of a golf ball. Repeat this process until you have used all the meat. Try to make them a similar size so they cook evenly. Place the formed balls on a clean plate or tray ready for frying.
Step 3
Brown meat: Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the balls to the pan and fry them for about five minutes. Turn them frequently so they get a nice brown colour on all sides. This step is important for sealing in the juices of the Italian Meatballs.
Step 4
Simmer sauce: Pour the chopped tomatoes into the pan with the meat and stir gently. Lower the heat and let the sauce simmer for fifteen minutes until it has thickened slightly. Make sure the meat is cooked through before serving. Serve the dish hot with your choice of side.

The best tips for italian meatballs

To get the best texture for your Italian Meatballs, avoid overworking the meat mixture when you combine the ingredients. Handling the mince too much can make the final result quite tough. If the mixture feels a bit dry, you can add a small splash of milk to help bind everything together. Use a wet hand when rolling the balls to prevent the meat from sticking to your skin.

For a deeper flavour, you can let the sauce simmer for a few extra minutes if time allows. Adding a pinch of sugar to the tinned tomatoes can help balance the acidity of the sauce. If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can use tomato passata instead of chopped tomatoes. These simple adjustments will make your Italian Meatballs even better.

You might also enjoy baked coley, pork chop bake with herb cream cheese or roast beef with gravy.

Ingredients

servings
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  • 500 g beef mince
  • 50 g breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg
  • 30 g parmesan cheese
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 400 g chopped tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Cooking time

Kitchen tools

Nutrition information

NUTRITIONper serving
  • Energy:1849 kJ / 442 kcal
  • Fat:26 g
  • - of which saturates:10 g
  • Carbohydrates:16 g
  • - of which sugars:4 g
  • Protein:36 g
  • Fibre:2 g
  • Salt:720 mg

People also ask

Yes, you can freeze these Italian Meatballs once they have cooled down completely. Place them in an airtight container or a freezer bag with the sauce. They will stay fresh in the freezer for up to three months.
The best way to reheat these is in a pan over a low heat on the stove. Add a splash of water if the sauce has become too thick. Stir occasionally until the Italian Meatballs are piping hot all the way through.
The egg and breadcrumbs in this recipe act as a binder to hold the meat together. Make sure you mix these well with the beef before shaping. Chilling the balls in the fridge for ten minutes before frying can also help them stay firm.
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