Go Back
+ servings
Italian Meatballs

Italian Meatballs

Delicious Italian meatballs made extra soft and juicy using bread and grated onion, served with a rich tomato sauce.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 5 meatballs
Calories 250 kcal

Equipment

  • large bowl
  • non-stick fry pan
  • box grater

Ingredients
  

Meatballs

  • 1 cup diced white sandwich bread crusts removed
  • 1 small onion (brown, white, or yellow)
  • 14 oz ground beef (mince)
  • 3 oz ground pork (mince) or substitute with more beef
  • 1 large egg
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • ¼ cup Parmigiano-Reggiano or parmesan, freshly grated
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Cooking Meatballs & Sauce

  • 2.5 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • ¾ cup onion finely chopped (white, brown, or yellow)
  • 24 oz tomato passata (Tomato Puree in US/CAN)
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (chili flakes)
  • 3 teaspoon dried Italian herb mix (parsley, basil, thyme, oregano)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • black pepper

To Serve

  • Pasta of choice
  • Parmesan
  • Parsley finely chopped (optional)

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Grate the onion using a standard box grater in a large bowl until you have about ½ cup of grated onion and juices.
  • Add bread, mix to combine so the onion juice soaks the bread and disintegrates. Set aside while you prep the other ingredients (5 min or so).
  • Add all the remaining Meatball ingredients. Use hands to mix well.
  • Measure out a heaped tablespoon and roll lightly to form a ball. Repeat with remaining mixture.
  • Heat 1 ½ tablespoon olive oil in a large non stick fry pan over medium high heat. Add the meatballs and brown all over – about 3 – 4 minutes.
  • When they are browned but NOT cooked through, carefully transfer them onto a plate.

Cooking & Sauce

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil into the fry pan.
  • Add the onion and garlic and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until translucent. Add the remaining Sauce ingredients. Bring to a simmer, then turn down to medium low so it bubbles gently rather than splattering everywhere.
  • Carefully transfer the meatballs and any juices that have pooled on the plate into the Sauce.
  • Cook the meatballs for 8 – 10 minutes, turning and stirring occasionally. Adjust Sauce salt and pepper to taste.
  • While the meatballs are cooking, cook your pasta of choice.
  • Serve the meatballs on pasta, garnished with extra parmesan and parsley if using.

Notes

Bread can be substituted with ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs. For a baking option, place meatballs on a rack and bake at 200C/400F for 20 minutes before simmering in the sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 1meatballCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 18gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 400mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 250IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 3mg
Keyword comfort food, Dinner, Italian Cuisine, Italian Meatballs, meatballs, Pasta
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!