Traditional Italian Meatballs

These are my Mom’s Traditional Italian Meatballs, a fast and delicious Italian Recipe. Made with beef, Parmesan cheese and Italian spices in a delicious tomato sauce. These Meatballs are going to be your family’s favourite new recipe.

This is one of my mother’s recipes (her father was Italian, so it still counts), and they are the best I have ever eaten. My mother-in-law makes her pretty much the same way. So authentic Italian they are.

How to make them

In a small bowl soak the bread in the milk,  then squeeze out moisture and crumple into small bits. In a medium bowl combine the bread with the remaining ingredients, gently mix to combine well. Gently form into small balls.

In a medium frying pan on medium heat, add the olive oil and the meatballs, brown them on all sides. While meatballs are browning, in a separate, large deep pan add the olive oil, the tomato puree, spices and water, stir to combine. Add the browned meatballs. Cook until sauce has thickened and meatballs are cooked through. Serve topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese if desired.

I discovered that in Italy you don’t eat Spaghetti and Meatballs together. Spaghetti is considered a primo piatto (first dish) and Meat is a secondo piatto (second plate). Therefore they should not  be combined. Personally I think they are missing out on something, which is something the Italian doesn’t understand. My Mom always served them together and I love it. Sometimes he wins, sometimes I do.

She would always make them in a delicious tomato sauce and they would be served over Rigatoni or Penne. I like Spaghetti myself. Or if you are looking for something a little different why not use Ground Turkey and make a Pasta Bake. So you can dish it up the Italian way, and serve it as a secondo piatto, with a nice salad or vegetable of choice, our preferred veggie are Peas.

What is the best meat to use?

This recipe (and also the way my mother-in-law made them) is with one pound of 80% lean ground beef, if you prefer you can add half ground beef and half ground pork or even Italian sausage with the casing removed.

How to store them

The cooked meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three to four days. They can also be frozen cooked in a freezer safe container for up to three months. If you prefer you can even freeze them uncooked. Place on a cookie in the freezer until firm then transfer to a freezer safe container or bag. They will keep for three to four months.

Can they be baked?

You can even fancy them up a bit and top the cooked meatballs with some shredded mozzarella or parmesan cheese, make sure they are in an oven safe pan and bake for about 5 minutes until the cheese has melted.

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These are so good, you won’t even miss the pasta! Just make sure you have some crusty bread to catch the sauce. Or make it your way (our way) with pasta. These Easy Traditional Italian Meatballs are cooked in a sauce, so they can be served over pasta al dente. Buon appetito!

Mom's Easy Traditional Italian Meatballs

Rosemary Molloy

The best and most delicious authentic homemade Italian recipe. Meatballs in a tasty tomato sauce. Dinner is ready!

4.29 from 52 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 50 mins

Total Time 1 hr 5 mins

Course main dishes

Cuisine Italian

Servings 14 meatballs

Calories 136 kcal

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

• 1/4-1/2 cup milk (62 - 122 grams)
• 2-3 slices bread (remove crusts, I use day old Italian and if it is extra thick use 2 slices)
• 1 pound ground beef (80% lean) (1/2 kilo)
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese (50 grams)
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 1 -2 clove garlic minced

For the sauce

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cups tomato puree* (passata) (450 grams)
• 1 teaspoon basil
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 - 1 1/2 teaspoons oregano
• 1 - 1 1/2 cups water (236 - 354 grams)

*or 1 can peeled tomatoes nothing added (400 grams)

Instructions

 

• In a small bowl soak the bread in the milk for about 5 minutes, then squeeze out moisture and crumple into small bits.
• In a medium bowl combine the bread with ground beef, eggs, parmesan and spices gently mix to combine well (I use my clean hands, its the best way to do it). Form into small balls ( I form the meatballs into the size of a golf ball). In a medium frying pan on medium heat, add the olive oil and the meatballs, brown them on all sides.

FOR THE SAUCE

• While meatballs are browning, in a separate, large deep pan add the olive oil, the tomato puree (or peeled tomatoes), spices and water, stir until well combined. Add the browned meatballs. Over medium heat, heat to boiling, then lower heat to medium low and simmer for approximately 20 minutes (covered), then raise the heat to medium, (leave pan slightly uncovered 1/3 uncovered) and cook an additional 20 minutes, until sauce has thickened and meatballs are cooked through. Serve immediately, top with freshly grated parmesan cheese if desired. Don't forget some crusty Italian bread to soak up the delicious sauce. Enjoy!
• **If you decide to bake the meatballs, shred approximately 1/3 cup of firm mozzarella on top and bake in the oven until melted, make sure you use an oven safe frying pan.

Nutrition

Calories: 136kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 10gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 378mgPotassium: 303mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 260IUVitamin C: 4.1mgCalcium: 68mgIron: 1.9mg

Keyword Italian meatballs, meatballs Italian style, Traditional Italian meatballs

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Republished from February 14, 2014.