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Delicious classic Italian meatballs served in marinara sauce

Classic Italian Meatballs

A quick and easy recipe for Classic Italian Meatballs that transforms humble ingredients into a symphony of flavor, perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy get-togethers.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 250

Ingredients
  

Meatball Mixture
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs Soaked in milk
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced Toasted for extra flavor
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Oil
  • Olive oil for frying

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Soak the breadcrumbs in milk for about 5 minutes.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, soaked breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  3. Mix until just combined, but don’t over-mix to ensure tender meatballs.
  4. Form the mixture into meatballs, about the size of a golf ball.
Cooking
  1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  2. Cook the meatballs in batches, turning them to brown on all sides, about 10-12 minutes.
Serving
  1. Serve with pasta, in subs, or as appetizers.

Notes

Keep your hands damp when forming the meatballs to prevent sticking. Experiment with spices by adding red pepper flakes for a kick. Use a meat thermometer to aim for an internal temperature of 160°F for perfectly cooked meatballs. For lighter options, swap ground beef for turkey or chicken. For a flavor twist, try adding chopped olives or sun-dried tomatoes.