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Home Appetizers and Party Fare

Homemade Italian Meatballs

4.10
/5
30 minutes mins
53 Comments
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By: Lalaine ManaloPosted: 02/01/2015Updated: 09/29/2017
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Italian meatballs that are super moist, flavorful and delicious as party appetizers with dipping sauces or served over pasta with hearty marinara sauce. Learn easy tips!

Italian Meatballs perfect as party appetizers with dipping sauces or served over pasta with hearty marinara sauce. Learn the easy tips on how to make them super moist and flavorful!

Italian meatballs perfect as party appetizers with dipping sauces or served over pasta with hearty marinara sauce. Learn the easy tips on how to make them super moist and flavorful!

Planning your Superbowl shindig? Guys, these Italian meatballs are a must! Plump, juicy, moist and flavorful, they’re a guaranteed party hit.

I usually serve them with different kinds of sauces such as BBQ, sweet and sour, and marinara on the side so everyone can help themselves to the flavor boosts they like. Guests seem to appreciate the choices because these delicious appetizers are the first to go at every gathering I bring them to!

If you’re looking for meatballs that are super tender and carry big flavors, these simple tips will help:

  • Use equal parts of ground pork and ground beef for a good ratio of fat.
  • Grate the onions instead of chopping for an extra depth of flavor and moisture.
  • Add a teaspoon of fennel seeds along with the other herbs to nicely complement the ground pork.
  • To keep the meatballs moist and tender, bind the meat mixture with bread soaked in milk.
  • Mix ingredients until just combined. Do not over manipulate the meat mixture and do not pack the meatballs too tightly or they will turn tough and rubbery.
  • Use a cookie scoop to evenly portion and easily shape the meatballs.

Italian meatballs perfect as party appetizers with dipping sauces or served over pasta with hearty marinara sauce. Learn the easy tips on how to make them super moist and flavorful!

These Italian meatballs are not only great as party appetizers but are amazing served swimming in a hearty tomato sauce over a bed of pasta. They are wonderful sandwiched between sturdy French loaves and topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. Whichever way you serve them, they’re sure to please hearty appetites!

Good thing the recipe can be easily doubled and the meatballs keep well in the freezer. Just arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until firm and then transfer to resealable bags or airtight containers for future use.

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @OnionRingsAndThings on Facebook and Instagram!

Italian meatballs perfect as party appetizers with dipping sauces or served over pasta with hearty marinara sauce. Learn the easy tips on how to make them super moist and flavorful!
4.10 from 10 votes

Italian Meatballs

Italian meatballs perfect as party appetizers with dipping sauces or served over pasta with hearty marinara sauce. Learn the easy tips on how to make them super moist and flavorful!
Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
Cook Time: 15 minutes mins
Total Time: 30 minutes mins
Author: Lalaine Manalo
Course: Appetizer
Print Pin It Email Recipe
4 Servings

Ingredients

  • 2 slices sourdough bread, crust removed
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled and grated
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 pound ground pork
  • 1/2 cup Reggiano cheese, freshly grated
  • 1 onion, peeled and grated
  • 1/2 cup Italian parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds, toasted

Instructions

  • Line a baking sheet with foil.
  • In a bowl, combine bread and milk.  Mash together and soak for about 10 minutes or until bread is moistened and paste like. 
  • In a bowl, whisk together egg, garlic, salt, and pepper.
  • In a large bowl, combine ground beef and ground pork and gently break up to chunks. 
  • Add bread, egg mixture, Reggiano cheese, onions, Italian parsley, and fennel seeds. Gently mix together until just combined. DO NOT OVER HANDLE AND OVER MIX.
  • Using a scoop, portion meat mixture. With lightly oiled hands, shape meat into the size of a golf ball by rolling between the palm of hands. 
  • Arrange meatballs in a single layer on prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake meatballs in a 425 F oven for about 10-15 minutes or until internal temperature of 160 F is reached. 
  • Remove from pan and keep warm. Serve with marinara, BBQ or sweet and sour sauce.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 480kcal, Carbohydrates: 23g, Protein: 30g, Fat: 29g, Saturated Fat: 11g, Cholesterol: 132mg, Sodium: 1045mg, Potassium: 491mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 800IU, Vitamin C: 13.2mg, Calcium: 240mg, Iron: 3.6mg

“This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.”

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Italian meatballs perfect as party appetizers with dipping sauces or served over pasta with hearty marinara sauce. Learn the easy tips on how to make them super moist and flavorful!
Italian meatballs perfect as party appetizers with dipping sauces or served over pasta with hearty marinara sauce. Learn the easy tips on how to make them super moist and flavorful!

 

About Lalaine Manalo

Welcome to Onion Rings and Things where you’ll find hundreds of comfort food recipes, crafts, and printables. Browse around and make something fun or tasty today! Read More

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Reader Interactions

4.10 from 10 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




  1. Ajin Kerala says

    Posted on 9/16/19 at 7:36 am

    Thank you! Ienjoy this recipe

    Reply
  2. Ankita Bardhan says

    Posted on 9/4/17 at 12:20 am

    5 stars
    I just love meatballs! Thank you for sharing this easy and delicious recipe, I am going to try it soon 🙂
    xx

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 9/10/17 at 4:22 am

      Thank you! I hope you enjoy this recipe ?

      Reply
  3. Darleen Redman says

    Posted on 9/3/17 at 6:21 am

    This recipe looks absolutely divine. If I was more of a cook I would try it out. I am loving all the recipes that you are sharing.

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 9/10/17 at 4:23 am

      Thanks Darlene. I hope you try some of my recipes sometime 🙂

      Reply
  4. Via Bella says

    Posted on 8/31/17 at 5:49 am

    I haven’t done homemade meatballs for years. I will have to try this out because nothing beats homemade!

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 9/10/17 at 4:28 am

      I agree, Via Belle, homemade is best! I hope you enjoy this recipe.

      Reply
  5. Airra P says

    Posted on 8/30/17 at 8:12 pm

    definitely perfect for parties or movie time w/ my bf or friends! and as someone who doesnt like to cook, this looks eaasy to make! 🙂

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 9/10/17 at 4:29 am

      Exactly! These are perfect finger foods!

      Reply
  6. David Elliott says

    Posted on 8/30/17 at 9:07 am

    Meatballs are one of my daughters favorite things to eat in the world. Whether they are Swedish or Italian, she loves them all. I will definitely have to be trying out this recipe.

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 9/10/17 at 4:31 am

      Thanks David. I hope these become her new favourite.

      Reply
  7. Calleigh - TheForkBite says

    Posted on 8/29/17 at 4:09 pm

    Homemade meatballs are a blank slate – the basic “batter” could be tweaked and herbed and spiced to showcase a host of different flavors. Your version sounds delicious, and I bet this will be a big hit on our Labor’s day party.

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 9/10/17 at 4:35 am

      Thanks, Calleigh! I hope you give these a try and enjoy them.

      Reply
  8. Kumin Kueche says

    Posted on 8/29/17 at 12:57 pm

    What a yummy post! looks so easy and tasty!! will definitely give it a try!! Thanks for sharing!!

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 9/10/17 at 4:36 am

      They sure are! Enjoy!

      Reply
  9. Helen says

    Posted on 8/29/17 at 9:04 am

    I’m not surprised these always disappear quickly at events, they look and sound so good! Meatballs and pasta is such a comfort food isn’t it.

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 9/10/17 at 4:38 am

      Thanks, Helen. They are really a perfect combo!

      Reply
  10. Jen S says

    Posted on 8/29/17 at 6:05 am

    These look delicious! Italian meatballs are my dad’s favorite. I’ll have to make these next time he visits.

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 9/10/17 at 4:39 am

      Thanks,Jen. I hope you and your Dad love these.

      Reply
  11. Darleen says

    Posted on 8/29/17 at 5:10 am

    My mouth was watering just reading this. I so want to eat these. Absolutely beautiful

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 9/10/17 at 4:49 am

      Thanks, Darlene. These are really delicious!

      Reply
  12. Aditi says

    Posted on 8/29/17 at 5:10 am

    These meatballs look delicious, unfortunately, I’m a vegetarian so I cannot try it for myself. But I will share it with friends who eat meat. 🙂

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 9/10/17 at 4:51 am

      Thank you. I hope your friends enjoy these!

      Reply
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