Italian Meatballs Recipe
Overview
Italian meatballs are a versatile dish that can be enjoyed on their own, served with spaghetti, or used to make delicious meatball sandwiches. With a perfect blend of spices and flavors, these meatballs are sure to be a hit at any gathering or weeknight dinner. You can easily adjust the spices to suit your taste preferences and make them in different sizes depending on how you plan to serve them.
- Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Servings: 40 meatballs
- Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (1 review)
Ingredients
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 2 | Onion |
| 1 | cup Parmesan cheese |
| 1 | Egg |
| 6 | Basil leaves |
| 1/2 | tsp Oregano |
| 2 cloves | Garlic |
| 2 lbs | Ground beef |
| 6 | tbsp Hot ketchup |
| 1 cup | Bread crumbs |
Instructions
- Prepare the Mixture:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine finely chopped onions, grated Parmesan cheese, beaten eggs, chopped basil leaves, minced garlic, and oregano.
- Incorporate Ground Beef:
- Add the ground beef to the mixture and thoroughly combine until all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Add Bread Crumbs:
- Mix in the bread crumbs until well incorporated. The mixture should be slightly sticky but manageable.
- Shape the Meatballs:
- Wet your palms with a little water to prevent the mixture from sticking, then roll it into meatballs of your desired size. Alternatively, you can shape them into burger patties.
- Cook in Slow Cooker:
- Place the meatballs in a slow cooker or crockpot.
- Pour the hot ketchup over the meatballs.
- Add a little water to the ketchup bottle, shake, and pour the diluted ketchup into the slow cooker.
- Simmer:
- Set the slow cooker to simmer and cook the meatballs for several hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the meatballs to become tender.
- Serve:
- Once cooked, serve the Italian meatballs hot as an appetizer, with spaghetti, in sandwiches, or any way you prefer.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 91.2
- Total Fat: 6.1g
- Saturated Fat: 2.4g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
- Sodium: 89.6mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 2.5g
- Dietary Fiber: 0.1g
- Sugar: 0.4g
- Protein: 6.1g
Tips
- For added flavor, you can experiment with different herbs and spices such as parsley, thyme, or red pepper flakes.
- Make sure not to overmix the meat mixture to keep the meatballs tender.
- If you’re short on time, you can also cook the meatballs on the stovetop in a skillet or bake them in the oven.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve the Italian meatballs as a main dish with a side of pasta and marinara sauce.
- Use them to make meatball sandwiches with crusty Italian bread and melted mozzarella cheese.
- For parties, make smaller meatballs that guests can skewer with toothpicks for easy eating.
With these Italian meatballs, you’ll bring the flavors of Italy to your table and create memorable meals for family and friends. Enjoy the hearty and comforting taste of homemade meatballs that are perfect for any occasion!
