The Big Meatball Recipes

MEATBALLS

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, stir together the panko and milk until combined. Set mixture aside to soak for 5 to 10 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.
• Add the ground beef, ground pork, garlic, eggs, Parmesan, fresh herbs, onion and Worcestershire sauce to the (same) mixing bowl. Sprinkle the oregano, salt, black pepper and crushed red pepper flakes evenly on top. Use your hands to mix the ingredients until evenly combined, being careful not to over-mix the ingredients.
• To make the meatballs easier to form, I recommend covering and chilling the mixture in the refrigerator for 1 hour. But if you're pressed for time, you can skip this step.
• Heat the oven to 425°F and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Using a medium cookie scoop or a spoon, scoop and roll the mixture into 2-tablespoon balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet. (I recommend greasing your hands with a bit of olive oil to prevent the mixture from sticking.)
• Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer measures the internal temperature of the meatballs to be 160°F. Remove pan and transfer to a wire cooling rack.
• Serve meatballs immediately and enjoy!

QUICK AND SIMPLE MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°. In a large bowl, combine eggs, water, onion, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic and seasonings; mix well. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into 1-1/2-in. balls. Place meatballs on greased racks in shallow baking pans. Bake, uncovered, until no longer pink, 15-18 minutes. , Freeze option: Freeze cooled meatballs in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in the microwave.

THE BEST MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Combine beef, veal, and pork in a large bowl. Add garlic, eggs, cheese, parsley, salt and pepper.
• Blend bread crumbs into meat mixture. Slowly add the water 1/2 cup at a time. The mixture should be very moist but still hold its shape if rolled into meatballs. (I usually use about 1 1/4 cups of water). Shape into meatballs.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Fry meatballs in batches. When the meatball is very brown and slightly crisp remove from the heat and drain on a paper towel. (If your mixture is too wet, cover the meatballs while they are cooking so that they hold their shape better.)

JUMBO CHEESY ITALIAN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Make the meatballs: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and brush a baking sheet with olive oil. Pulse the bread in a food processor to make coarse crumbs. Transfer to a small bowl, add the milk and set aside to soak. Lightly beat the eggs in a large bowl, then add the beef, parsley, parmesan, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt and the red pepper flakes; mix with your hands to combine. Add the bread-milk mixture and mix until just combined (do not overmix).
• Dampen your hands and shape the meat mixture into 4 large balls. Make an indentation in the center of each with your thumb and stuff with a mini mozzarella ball, then mold the meat around the cheese. Arrange the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet and bake until browned and firm, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until the garlic softens, about 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, 1 cup water, the basil sprigs and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until thickened, about 30 minutes.
• Remove the meatballs from the oven and add to the sauce, spooning some of the sauce on top. Continue cooking, occasionally spooning the sauce over the meatballs, until tender and cooked through, about 6 minutes. Serve with ricotta and chopped basil.
• You can form all of these meatballs a day ahead; cover and refrigerate until ready to cook.

THE BIG MEATBALL

Steps:

• Preaheat oven to 350°.
• In a big mixing bowl, combine the beef, sausage, bread crumbs, parsley, cheese, basil, oregano, salt, pepper, and eggs (this works best if you use your hands).
• Place the meat in the center of a 13x9 inch baking dish; shape mixture into a smooth rounded dome 3-4 inches high.
• Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes.
• Spoon or drain off any fat in the dish.
• Pour the marinara sauce over the loaf and bake 20 minutes; let stand 10 minutes.
• Serve meatloaf cut in wedges with about 2/3 cup sauce per serving.
• Left-overs: cut into chunks and reheat in additional marinara sauce; serve spooned into hero or grinder rolls; add a few slices of mozzarella cheese and sauteed green pepper, if you wish.

THE 45+ BEST MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Mix in all the meatball ingredients except butter and oil and mix well. Roll them into meatballs.
• Heat olive oil and 2 Tbsp butter in a skillet and place meatballs without crowding them and fry till golden brown on all sides. Plate them out and set aside.
• In the same pan, melt remaining 4 Tbsp butter. Gradually stir in flour to create a roux. Cook until flour starts to brown.
• Slowly stir in beef broth, mixing all those bits stuck to the pan into the sauce.
• Add in cream, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt and pepper. Cook for 4-5 minutes, until sauce starts to thicken up.
• Add in meatballs. Simmer for 10 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasonings to your liking.
• Serve it over bed of mashed potatoes. Garnish with chopped parsley and lingonberry jam.

BAKED ITALIAN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Coat a baking sheet with rimmed edges with nonstick spray.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, milk, egg, parsley, oregano, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, garlic, and 1/4 cup of the beef broth. Mix until well combined.
• Add the meat to the mixture and just combine. Do not over mix, but be sure seasonings are well dispersed.
• Scoop out about 1 tablespoon of the meat mixture, using a tablespoon measuring spoon or medium cookie scoop, and then gently shape into 1-inch meatballs. Place the meatballs onto the prepared baking sheet.
• Pour the remaining 3/4 cup beef broth around meatballs, it is okay if the broth does not fully cover the pan.
• Bake the meatballs for 22-25 minutes, or until the broth is evaporated and the meatballs are browned.

BIG JIM'S - BIG JIM'S MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and mix with hands until well blended. Form beef mixture into balls about 3 to 4 ounces each. Place in a greased baking dish, cover with foil and place in oven for 25 minutes. Remove from oven and check to make sure they have cooked completely through. Remove the foil and place back into oven for 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven and let sit for 15 minutes to let some of the juices absorb back into the meatballs. Drain remaining grease and serve with your favorite pasta and sauce.