Italian Meatballs: A Flavorful Classic for Every Occasion
Every home chef should have a series of go to recipes in their pocket that they can whip up on a moment’s notice and knock out of the park every time. This Italian Meatball recipe is one of those classics that everyone should know.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound 80/20 ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup whole milk
- 3 cloves garlic, minced very finely
- 6 tbl New World Spice and Tea Traders ZESTY ITALIAN SPICE BLEND
- 2-4 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions:
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper. Crack in the egg. Gently mix everything together with your hands until well combined.
- Shape the Meatballs: Take about 4 oz of the mixture and roll it between your palms to form a meatball. Place each meatball on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between them.
- Fry the Meatballs: Preheat a heavy metal skillet testing with drops of water until the water dances in the skillet and does not immediately evaporate. Add 2 – 4 tbl of olive oil. Place meatballs in the skillet to fry. Turn each ball to create a solid crust. Total time should be no more than 3 or 4 minutes.
- Bake: Place the skillet in the preheated oven. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until they are cooked through.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove the meatballs from the oven. Place meatballs into your sauce of choice and simmer for an hour.
Tips for Success:
- Mixing: Be careful not to overmix the meatball mixture, as this can result in tough meatballs.
- Baking Time: Adjust baking time based on your oven and the size of your meatballs to ensure they are cooked through.
- Storage: These meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
