Mama Donnas Meatballs Recipes

MAMA IULIUCCI'S FAMOUS MEAT-A-BALLS (ITALIAN MEATBALLS)

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients gently in a large bowl until well combined.
• Roll meatballs 1 1/2- 1 3/4" in diameter.
• Heat about 1/4" of oil over medium heat in a large frying pan.
• Fry meatballs in oil, rolling frequently, until evenly browned and juices run clear.
• Drop meatballs in your favorite sauce (I highly recommend My Mama Iuliucci's"Don't Skip a Step" Spaghetti Sauce recipe#26947) and let simmer for awhile to flavor sauce or just serve with your favorite pasta and sauce.
• Tip: You can also bake or broil these if the frying part is too much of a hassle-- I use my broiler pan if I bake them, so the fat drips down and away from the meatballs.

CHEF ROCCO DISPIRITO'S MAMA'S MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Place the chicken stock, onion, garlic, and parsley in a blender or food processor and puree.
• In a large bowl, combine the pureed stock mix, meat, bread crumbs, egg, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, red pepper flakes, and salt.
• Combine with hands until mixture is uniform, do not overmix.
• Put a little olive oil on your hands and form mixture into balls a little larger than golf balls.
• Pour about 1/2 inch of extra virgin olive oil in straight sided, 10-inch-wide saute pan and heat over medium-high flame.
• Add the meatballs to the pan, working in batches if necessary, and brown meatballs, turning once.
• This should take about 10-15 minutes.
• While meatballs are browning, heat the marinara sauce in a large pot.
• Transfer the meatballs to the pot with the marinara sauce and simmer for one hour.
• Serve alone or over your favorite pasta.

ROCCO'S MAMA'S MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Stock mix: Place all ingredients in blender or food processor and puree.
• In a large bowl, combine all ingredients (except olive oil) with stock and knead with both hands until mixture is uniform.
• Do not overmix.
• Put a little olive oil on hands and form mixture into approximately 2-ounce balls.
• Pour about half an inch of extra virgin olive oil into a straight sided, wide saute pan and heat over medium-high flame.
• Add the meatballs to the pan (working in batches if necessary) and brown meatballs, turning once.
• You can also brown on a sheetpan in a 375 degree oven if you prefer.
• Using a slotted spoon, remove the meatballs from the oil and place them into a saucepan of marinara (they should be submerged).
• Simmer for 30 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and tender.
• Serve as is, or over spaghetti.

MIKE MARONI'S GRANDMA MARONI'S MEATBALLS (100-YEAR-OLD)

Steps:

• To make the meatballs, preheat the oven to 350°F. Brush a rimmed baking sheet with olive oil.
• Mix the beef, cheese, bread crumbs, eggs, milk, herbs, onion, garlic, and salt in a mixing bowl.
• Roll the meatballs loosely about the size of a large golf ball, and place on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until cooked through and lightly browned, 35 to 40 minutes.
• To make the sauce, heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat until it begins to shimmer. Add the garlic and onion, and cook until soft and slightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, salt, and pepper, and stir. Allow the sauce to come to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the basil.
• Add the meatballs to the sauce.
• To serve, divide the spaghetti among 4 plates, and top with the meatballs and the sauce.

MAMA DONNA'S MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients, except the oil, and shape into balls.
• Heat the oil in a large frying pan and fry the meatballs until browned on each side.
• Add to simmering sauce or serve as is.