Italian-American Meatballs
- Yield: 18 meatballs
-
- Nutritional Analysis
- Per Serving
- Serving Size
- 1 of 18 servings
- Calories
- 233
- Total Fat
- 13
- Saturated Fat
- 4
- Carbohydrates
- 16
- Dietary Fiber
- 3
- Sugar
- 4
- Protein
- 13
- Cholesterol
- 39
- Sodium
- 414
- Total: 1 hr 10 min
- Prep: 30 min
- Cook: 40 min
Ingredients
2 slices white sandwich bread, stale and crusts removed (see note)
1/2 pound ground pork
1/2 pound ground veal
1/2 pound ground beef chuck
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons grated Pecorino Romano
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 medium onion, grated (about 1/4 cup)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large egg, beaten
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/3 cup olive oil, divided
3 cups QUICK MARINARA SAUCE (see recipe)
Serving suggestions:
1 pound cooked spaghetti or linquini
On hero rolls for sandwiches
QUICK MARINARA SAUCE
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 medium onion, diced (about 3 tablespoons)
3 cloves garlic, chopped
3 1/2 cups whole, peeled, canned tomatoes in puree, (one 28-ounce can), roughly chopped
Sprig of fresh thyme
Sprig of fresh basil
2 teaspoons kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Directions
- Grate the bread or pulse into crumbs in a food processor. In a small bowl toss the breadcrumbs with 1/3 cup cold water to re-hydrate.
- In a large bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, pork, veal, beef, Parmesan, Pecorino, parsley, salt, onion, garlic, and egg and mix until combined. Season the meat mixture with pepper.
- Using your hands, gently form the meat mixture into 18 slightly larger than golf ball-sized balls. (Packing the meat mixture too tightly together will result in tough meatballs). Refrigerate for at least an hour or up to 24.
- Heat half the oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until well browned on all sides, about 6 minutes. Transfer the meatballs to a plate. Drain the oil and wipe out the skillet, return to the heat, and repeat with the remaining oil and meatballs.
- Drain and wipe out the skillet again. Return all the meatballs to the skillet and pour in the marinara sauce. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer, covered, swirling the pan occasionally, until the meatballs are cooked through about 15 minutes. The cheese in the meat balls will start to melt when the meatballs are ready. Serve immediately with spaghetti or on sandwiches. These meatballs can be stored, covered in the refrigerator for 3 days or frozen for up to 6 weeks.
QUICK MARINARA SAUCE
- Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Saute the onion and garlic, stirring, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and the herb sprigs and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.
- Remove and discard the herb sprigs. Stir in the salt and season with pepper to taste. Use now, or store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.
Cook’s Note
If your bread is fresh, dry it out in at 350 degree F for 10 to 15 minutes.