Tender and full of flavor, the Best Homemade Italian Meatball Recipe is comfort food that is made of the perfect blend of two meats, herbs and plenty of love. Whether served over pasta, tucked into a crusty roll or enjoyed straight from the pot, these will be a family favorite.
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Growing up in an Italian family, spaghetti and meatballs were a staple for Sunday dinner. The smell would fill the kitchen and we would all look forward to this comfort meal and gathering around the table together. As I have a family of my own, I have loved filling our kitchen with the smell of the most delicious Italian food and watching my kids enjoy the best homemade Italian meatballs, just like I did.
These homemade meatballs are tender, flavorful and packed with homemade love. The secret? A perfect blend of meats, ground beef and veal (I also love beef and bison combination). Serve over spaghetti, tucked into a crusty bread for a meatball sandwich or enjoy on their own with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese…this is pure comfort!
Ingredient Notes
Meat: I use a combination of two different meats for my meatballs. I love using ground beef and veal for a lighter flavor or ground beef and bison for a richer flavor.
Breadcrumbs: Plain or Italian breadcrumbs work great. If you use Italian breadcrumbs, you do not need to add in the extra Italian seasoning. Gluten free breadcrumbs also work great!
Eggs: Eggs are a binding agent for the meat and also keep the meatballs very moist!
Cheese: Parmesan Cheese is a great addition to these meatballs, adding a slightly salty and rich flavor.
Seasoning: Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder and salt and pepper add the perfect amount of flavor to each meatball.
Water: Don't skip this step! Adding half the water to soak the breadcrumbs and the remainder of the water to the meat mixture, this will keep the meatballs moist and tender.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the Meatball Mixture
- In a large bowl, combine breadcrumbs and water and allow them to soak for 5 minutes.
- Add the beef and veal, eggs, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt and black pepper to the soaked breadcrumbs.
- Using your hands, mix until fully combined, slowly adding the remainder of the water to the meat mixture while mixing.
Shape the Meatballs
- Roll the meatball mixture into balls about 1 ½ inches in diameter and place them on a lined baking sheet.
Bake the Meatballs
- Bake the meatballs in a preheated oven at 400 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until the tops are browned and the internal temperature is 165 degrees F
Simmer in Sauce
- Place the cooked meatballs into the warm tomato sauce and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes
Serve
- Place the meatballs in a serving bowl or over a big bowl of pasta, garnish with fresh grated parmesan cheese and basil! Enjoy!
Tips for the Perfect Meatballs
- Use a mix of meats- I always use beef and then combine with bison or veal for extra flavor and tenderness
- Soak the breadcrumbs- this keeps the meatballs moist and tender!
- Make them GLUTEN FREE-Use your favorite gluten free breadcrumbs and they turn out delicious!
- Add Water- adding water is a trip my parents taught me and this is the only way that these meatballs stay so tender
- Don't Overmix- Mix all ingredients with your hands to ensure you don't overmix them
- Sear or Bake- Although this recipe says to bake the meatballs, you can sear them on the stove until browned and then cook them in the sauce to reach the final temperature (165 degrees F). If you sear them, they will take about an hour to finish cooking in the tomato sauce.
- Let them rest and simmer in the sauce- The longer they sit in the sauce the better!
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Best Homemade Italian Meatball Recipe
Ingredients
Homemade Tomato Sauce
- 2 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- ½ Yellow Onion, Minced
- 4 Garlic Cloves, Minced
- 2 28 Ounce Cans Whole Tomatoes
- 2 Teaspoons Salt
- ½ Teaspoon Black Pepper
- 3 Fresh Basil Leaves
Homemade Italian Meatballs
- 1 Pound Ground Beef (90% to 10% Lean)
- 1 Pound Ground Veal Or Bison (I love both)
- 2 Eggs
- ¾ Cup Breadcrumbs, Plain or Italian You can also use Gluten Free Breadcrumbs!
- ½ Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
- 1 Teaspoon Italian Seasoning (only use if you use plain breadcrumbs)
- 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 Teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 Cup Cold Water
Instructions
Homemade Tomato Sauce
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the minced onions and garlic and sauté until the onions are translucent.
- In a blender, combine the canned whole tomatoes, salt, pepper and fresh basil and blend until smooth (you might need to blend in two batches so it doesn't overflow!)
- Pour the pureed tomatoes into the pot with the sautéed onions and garlic and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Once the sauce has simmered, remove the sauce from the heat until the meatballs are ready.
Homemade Italian Meatballs
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and prepare a baking dish, lightly covered with olive oil or a sheet pan lined with parchment paper; set aside
- Soak the Breadcrumbs: In a small bowl combine the breadcrumbs and ½ cup cold water; allow these to sit for 5 minutes.
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, veal (or bison), eggs, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper and the remaining ½ cup cold water. Using your hands, mix all the ingredients together until everything is fully combined.
- Shape the Meatballs: Scoop the beef and bison mixture into 3 ounce balls and roll until the ball is smooth. Place them on your prepared baking dish leaving a little space in between each meatball.
- Bake and Simmer the Meatballs: Place the meatballs in the 400 degree F oven for 20-25 minutes. The meatballs will turn brown on top and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Remove the meatballs from the oven and transfer them to the pot with warm tomato sauce. Cover the pot and simmer on low heat for at 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure the meatballs are covered in sauce.
- Serve the warm meatballs over pasta or with your favorite loaf of bread!
Nutrition
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