Italian Meatballs

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Prep Time 20

Servings

Author Vincenzo's Plate

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.

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 pecorino, 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 9 & 10 until you have finished your mixture.

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!