Spicy Italian Meatballs
- Level: Intermediate
- Yield: 70 to 80 small meatballs
-
- Nutritional Analysis
- Per Serving
- Serving Size
- 1 of 76 servings
- Calories
- 62
- Total Fat
- 5
- Saturated Fat
- 1
- Carbohydrates
- 2
- Dietary Fiber
- 0
- Sugar
- 1
- Protein
- 3
- Cholesterol
- 14
- Sodium
- 129
- Total: 2 hr 30 min (includes chilling time)
- Active: 55 min
Ingredients
Meatballs:
1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground pork
3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, minced
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 cloves garlic, grated on a rasp grater
2 whole eggs
Splash of milk
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup olive oil, for frying
Sauce:
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, diced
Two 28-ounce cans tomato sauce
1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, minced
3 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
Crushed red pepper, as needed
Freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Special equipment:
a chafing dish, optional, and 70 to 80 frilly toothpicks- For the meatballs: Combine the ground beef, pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, ricotta, parsley, crushed red pepper, salt, garlic, eggs, milk and black pepper in a bowl. Mash with your hands until thoroughly combined. Form into small balls and place on a baking sheet. Set in the fridge for 1 hour.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs in batches until nice and deep golden, then move them to a plate.
- For the sauce: Into the same skillet, add the garlic and onions and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the tomato sauce, parsley, tomato paste, sugar, salt, crushed red pepper and black pepper. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Add the meatballs back to the skillet and simmer another 15 minutes. Keep warm until serving.
- Transfer to a chafing dish and serve with frilly toothpicks.