How to Make Italian Meatballs
My Italian meatballs recipe is just like a giant hug from Nonna. A mixture of quality veal and pork mince combined with the perfect amount of fresh parsley and cheese (a tonne of both!) as well as moist artisan bread will create the most delicious meatballs you have ever tasted, period. This recipe uses my Nonna’s soffrito (blended my way) which adds the sweetest aroma and flavour hit you can imagine. Try my recipe for your next Meatballs night and compare them to yours…I bet they will quickly become your families new favourite (don’t worry you can pass the recipe as your own – what’s important, is you pass it on to your family to share too!).
Watch the Italian Meatballs Video Recipe:
How to Make ITALIAN MEATBALLS RECIPE Like an Italian
Vincenzo’s Top Tips To Make Italian Meatballs
Pick the Whisk
You can whisk the egg separately before adding it to the bowl too if you prefer!
BEST way to mix it
The are the best utensil in the kitchen is none other than… Your HANDS! It can definitely massage and combine ingredients really well!
Save some for later!
If the batch from this Italian meatballs recipe is too big, you can cook them all and leave some in the fridge for the next day OR, leave a portion uncooked and place them in an air tight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Italian Meatballs
Equipment
- 1 Large-medium pot
- Pyrex dish or similar Baking tray
- Baking Paper
- wooden spoon
- Chopping-board
- knife
- Tablespoon
- Hand blender
- Garlic press (if you have one)
- Large mixing bowl
- 1 Bowl to soak bread slices in water
Ingredients
- 500 g Organic grass fed veal mince 17.65oz
- 500 g Organic grass fed pork mince 17.65oz
- 2 Organic eggs Free range
- 3 Tbsp Breadcrumbs
- 1 Carrot
- 1 celery stick
- ½ Brown onion Diced into small cubes
- 2 Garlic cloves
- 2 Bottles Italian Passata Homemade or organic if possible
- Bunch Parsley Fresh and choppes
- Basil Fresh
- 4 slices Italian/Artisan/Sourdough bread Crusts left on
- 20 g Salt 0.7oz
- Pepper
- 5 Tbsp Grated Pecorino or Parmigiano Reggiano Plus more for serving
- Extra virgin olive oil EVOO
- Water to soak bread
Instructions
- HOW TO MAKE THE SAUCE:
- Homemade Italian meatballs must be smothered in a delicious tomato sugo – follow the steps below to create the perfect sauce for this dish.
- Cut the celery, carrot and onion into chunks and add to your blender. Pulse/blend until you get a thick/creamy consistency.
- Put the large pot on your stove at a low-medium heat and add half of the mixture you just made along with 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (EVOO).
- Leave to slowly simmer for approx. 5 minutes or until cooked stirring so it doesn’t stick to the bottom.
- Add 2 bottles of tomato passata and stir using a wooden spoon so the base mixture (soffrito) combines well.
- Add salt and pepper, mix through and leave to cook slowly with the lid on and heat at medium-low.
- Stir the sauce every 15 minutes making sure it does not stick to the bottom and to help create a beautiful consistency.
- Allow this to cook through for up to 1 hour.
- HOW TO MAKE THE ITALIAN MEATBALLS:
- Add the pork and veal mince to your mixing bowl and break down using your hands. You must use beautiful quality meat.
- Put the slices of Italian bread in a bowl with warm water and leave to the side. This is my favourite ingredient for this meatballs recipe because it helps create the right texture.
- Add the remaining soffrito mixture to the bowl of mince along with the breadcrumbs, salt and pepper and 1 x egg.
- Add the crushed garlic and parsley.
- Next take the slices of bread from the bowl with water and squeeze excess water out before breaking it down into small pieces and adding it to the mixture too.
- The best way to mix this together? Your HANDS! They are the best utensil in the kitchen. Massage and combine ingredients really well.
- Wash your hands and leave a small bowl with water next to you so you can keep your hands moist as you create the individual meatballs.
- Prepare your tray with baking paper (you can also use a tray to prep the meatballs even if you choose to fry them).
- Wet the palms of your hands and scoop up some mince mixture using your fingers or a tablespoon. Press the mixture down in your hands, moving from one to the other before rolling them out.
- Roll the meatballs (size is a personal preference, mine are always big!) using the palms of your hands and place on the tray.
- Repeat steps 16 & 17 until you have finished your mixture.
- HOW TO COOK THE ITALIAN MEATBALLS:
- This italian meatballs recipe can be baked or fried.
- Preheat your oven to 180°C/356°F and bake the meatballs for 15-20 minutes depending on their size/how many you cook.
- After this time, add fresh basil leaves to your pot of sauce and mix through, then gently place your meatballs in the sauce.
- Don’t stir them! Lift up your pot and gently swirl it around holding on to both sides (being careful not to burn your hands), until you cover all the meatballs with this sauce.
- Cook the meatballs on a very low heat for 30-40 minutes (again depending on size and quantity).
- Stir the meatballs as described in step 23 every 15 minutes so they cook evenly and infuse in the sauce.
- After 25-30 minutes check the meatballs by removing one from the pot, cutting it down the middle and checking it is cooked through and also that it is delicious and moist!
- E ora si mangia, Vincenzo’sPlate….Enjoy!
Video
How to serve Italian Meatballs
Add a scoop of sauce to a flat plate and place the desired number of meatballs on top. Then add more sauce because this Italian meatballs recipe sauce is super flavoursome.
Garnish with grated pecorino or parmigiano cheese along with some freshly chopped parsley and basil leaves.
It needs absolutely nothing on top – devour as it is!
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I cannot wait to try this recipe. I make beautiful meatballs, but not like this. They sound wonderful.
They truly are marvellous. I hope you’ll give this a try too!
Any suggestion for a sub for the veal..yeah, I’m “one of those”. lol. Can’t wait to try this one!
When it comes to substituting veal in Italian meatball recipes, ground beef, pork and turkey are the most common substitute and is widely available. If you’re following a vegetarian or vegan diet, Beyond Meat or other plant-based meat substitutes are available.
What is brown onion?
Brown onions, are also known as yellow onions.
Hi vincenzo, I have made this today and it’s amazing! However, in the video you put breadcrumbs, salt and cheese in the mixture, but in neither the video or written recipe have you specifies the amount of breadcrumbs or salt? Also, you haven’t mentioned in the written recipe when to add the cheese – not a major, but just thought it was something to point out! I have tried quite a few of your recipes and they have always been fantastic! Well done!
I’m thrilled to hear you enjoyed the recipe! Thanks for bringing it to my attention and for your kind words on my recipes. I’ll make sure to update the recipe with those details. Happy cooking!
Looks great. But how much breadcrumbs is called for? Also, can you used canned crushed tomatoes instead of passata?
The amount of breadcrumbs called for in Italian meatballs can vary depending on the recipe and personal preference. As a general rule of thumb, 1/2 to 1 cup of breadcrumbs per pound of meat is a good starting point. Regarding the use of canned crushed tomatoes instead of passata, it’s possible to use crushed tomatoes in place of passata, but it may alter the texture and flavor of the final dish.
My wife and tried this recipe out and we are extremly proud of ourselves for succeeding at making such tasty meal. Ive got a whole tray of extra meatballs in the freezer for another night. Only my Grandmas meatballs can top these.
That’s wonderful to hear! Congratulations on making a delicious meal and having extra meatballs for another night. It’s always a great feeling to successfully make a dish that you enjoy. It sounds like your meatballs turned out great, and it’s a huge compliment to be compared to your Grandma’s meatballs. Keep up the good work in the kitchen!
Hey Vincenzo, I love watching your videos and making your recipes!
One question: what do I do with the second egg? Or is that a typo?
Thanks!
No that’s not a typo. If you are making a small batch of meatballs, you can use one egg. However, if you are making a large batch of meatballs, it is best to use two eggs. This will help to ensure that the meatballs are well-bound and that they stay moist during cooking.
I just made this recipe for the 2nd time for my family, and they LOVE it. I live in Japan and had to substitute canned marzano tomatoes for fresh in my passata, and i substituted beef for veal, but otherwise I stuck to your recipe. It was amazing. Thank you for all you share with us!!
Your family’s love for the meal is the best compliment any cook can receive, and I’m delighted to have been able to share this recipe with you. If you ever have more questions, need further recipe ideas, or want to share more of your culinary adventures, please feel free to reach out. Happy cooking! 🍝🇮🇹😊
I just made a batch and damn these are good… I may have made a little too much but I’m sure my parent will like them as well… Lovely recipe, next time I need to find veal for the meat (small village, not a lot of choice here)
I’m sure your parents will love them too. If you ever get a chance to try them with veal, it adds a delightful touch, but regardless, I’m glad the recipe worked well for you in your small village. Happy cooking!
Vincenzo,
We had an Italian Christmas Dinner this year with our family and I made 53 of your meatballs and they were the BEST Meatballs I have ever had! Everyone else who attended (26 of us) thought so as well. I will be trying more of your recipes very shortly!!
Thank You and Have a Great New Year,
Mike
Hey Mike! Wow, that’s a lot of meatballs! I’m thrilled to hear they were a hit at your Italian Christmas Dinner with the whole gang. Thanks a million for trying out the recipe, and I’m excited for you to explore more of my recipes soon! Wishing you and your family a fantastic New Year too!
I’ve made these so many times now, but this time I had to go and mess with it. Having grown up in the USA, I have a soft spot for meatloaf. And meatloaf being basically a giant meatball, I decided to try your meatball recipe as a meatloaf recipe. Basically by making 1 giant loaf shaped meatball from the entire recipe, then after baking it on a rack, I moved it into a baking dish with the sauce and finished it covered in the oven, basting it every 10 minutes with the sauce. It was amazing.
That’s a brilliant twist! Turning the meatball recipe into a meatloaf is a creative idea, and your process sounds mouthwatering. I hope you enjoyed the recipe!
These are absolutely amazing. I tried the recipe a few days ago. By far the best meatballs I have ever made. I have recommended this recipe to friends & family. Great stuff Vincenzo; you’ve helped me develop my Italian Cooking. After holidaying in Sorrento last year, I’m hooked on Italian food.
Ciao Tony! I’m thrilled to hear that the meatball recipe was a hit for you. It’s great to know you’ve shared it with friends and family too. Great stuff, right? Grazie mille for recommending this recipe to your friends and family. Happy cooking, let me know what recipe you’re going to try next!