Italian Heritage Meatballs

Name: Italian Heritage Meatballs
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 1 lb ground pork; 1/2 cup breadcrumbs; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley; 2 eggs, beaten; 1 tsp dried oregano; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1/4 cup milk; 2 cups marinara sauce

🕒 Prep: 15 min

🔥 Cook: 30 min

🍽 Serves: 4

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Welcome to a taste of classic Italian comfort with these Italian Heritage Meatballs. Perfect for a cozy family dinner, they blend traditional flavors with a touch of homemade love that's sure to win over taste buds and hearts alike.

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Ingredients for Italian Heritage Meatballs

Ground beef and ground pork come together to create a flavorful base, offering a balance of rich taste and moisture. The combination is key to juicy meatballs.

Breadcrumbs act as a binder, giving the meatballs a tender structure, while garlic provides an aromatic punch that elevates the dish.

Parmesan cheese adds a nutty, savory depth, and fresh parsley brings a touch of herbaceous brightness to the mix.

Eggs help bind everything together, ensuring the meatballs hold their shape during cooking. Dried oregano, salt, and black pepper round out the seasoning with classic Italian flair.

Finally, a splash of milk ensures the meatballs remain moist and tender, while marinara sauce envelops them in a luscious, tangy finish.

Tips & Tricks

For extra flavor, try adding a splash of red wine to the marinara sauce.
Use a cookie scoop for uniformly sized meatballs.
Chill the meat mixture for 30 minutes before shaping to make it easier to handle.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these meatballs over a bed of spaghetti for a classic pairing, or try them in a warm, crusty sub sandwich topped with melted mozzarella. A side of garlicky sautéed greens or a crisp Caesar salad makes a perfect accompaniment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze the meatballs?: Yes! You can freeze them uncooked or after cooking. Just ensure they are stored in an airtight container.
Can I use all beef instead of a beef-pork mix?: Absolutely, though the pork adds extra flavor and moisture, beef-only meatballs will still be delicious.
What if I don’t have fresh parsley?: Dried parsley works in a pinch; just reduce the amount to 1 tablespoon.

Italian Heritage Meatballs Recipe Walkthrough

Start by gathering all your ingredients so everything is at your fingertips. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef and pork, breadcrumbs, minced garlic, grated Parmesan, chopped parsley, beaten eggs, oregano, salt, and pepper. Using your hands is often the best way to mix these ingredients gently yet thoroughly.

Gradually pour in the milk, mixing just until everything is combined. Be careful not to overmix; this can make your meatballs tough instead of tender.

Once mixed, start forming the meat mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs. They should be about the size of a golf ball, which ensures even cooking.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs, giving them space to brown nicely on all sides. This should take about five minutes. The browning adds flavor, so don’t skip this step!

After browning, pour the marinara sauce over the meatballs. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let them simmer. In about 20 minutes, they’ll be cooked through, tender, and ready to serve.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Perfectly tender and juicy every time.
Rich, savory flavors from a blend of beef and pork.
Easy to prepare with simple, fresh ingredients.
A family-friendly favorite that pleases kids and adults.

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef

1 lb ground pork

1/2 cup breadcrumbs

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

2 eggs, beaten

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/4 cup milk

2 cups marinara sauce

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, garlic, Parmesan, parsley, eggs, oregano, salt, and pepper.

2. Gradually add milk and mix until just combined.

3. Form the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs.

4. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.

5. Add marinara sauce to the skillet. Cover and simmer on low heat until meatballs are cooked through, about 20 minutes.

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