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.
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.
Italian Meatballs
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
I just love meatballs! Thank you for sharing this easy and delicious recipe, I am going to try it soon 🙂
xx
Thank you! I hope you enjoy this recipe ?
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.
Thanks Darlene. I hope you try some of my recipes sometime 🙂
I haven’t done homemade meatballs for years. I will have to try this out because nothing beats homemade!
I agree, Via Belle, homemade is best! I hope you enjoy this recipe.
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! 🙂
Exactly! These are perfect finger foods!
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.
Thanks David. I hope these become her new favourite.
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.
Thanks, Calleigh! I hope you give these a try and enjoy them.
What a yummy post! looks so easy and tasty!! will definitely give it a try!! Thanks for sharing!!
They sure are! Enjoy!
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.
Thanks, Helen. They are really a perfect combo!
These look delicious! Italian meatballs are my dad’s favorite. I’ll have to make these next time he visits.
Thanks,Jen. I hope you and your Dad love these.
My mouth was watering just reading this. I so want to eat these. Absolutely beautiful
Thanks, Darlene. These are really delicious!
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. 🙂
Thank you. I hope your friends enjoy these!
These look delicious, my other half loves meatballs so I’ll have to try out this recipe on him!
Thank you Kim! These are really tasty! I hope you guys enjoy them.
I love meatballs and this looks dee-licious! I am definitely going to try out this recipe, it looks easy 🙂
Thanks, Mayuri. This recipe is a keeper not only because it is delicious but also because of its simplicity. Enjoy!
I like this recipe and meatballs with pasta and red sauce actually is one of our favorite dishes! Thank you for sharing it!
You are welcome Zina. You can’t go wrong with pasta and red sauce. 🙂
They look nice and easy to make by following your recipe. You are very much correct that they can be used over pasta in main course too apart from appetizers. Also they can be dipped in Indian styled curry and served with breads or rice like Indian food.
Exactly Yukti! They are so versatile.
Interesting, so neat. I shall go for vegetable balls of same style since I’m a vegan :). Shall follow your recipe directions
Interesting! Let me know how it goes. 🙂
These look delicious! We love meatballs, they are one of the childrens favourites, I will definitely gve these a try!
Thanks! I am sure the kids will love these. They are tasty!
Oh yum I have some quorn meatballs at home and they would taste delicious if they were adapted to your recipe. I think it would pair very well with some homemade garlic bread as well. Yum x
Thanks, Ana! That sounds delicious!
Like many I love meatballs! I grew up with Swedish meatballs because I used to live in Stockholm. Now the only meatballs I get are the one from Ikea. I have try to make my own but never succeded! You have somw great tips how to manage! Looks delicious. I will pin.
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Thank you! These are great, I am sure you will love them!
My son saw these and fell in love! I am going to make them for him. They loo delicious.
Thanks, Coralie! Your son will love these.
These look and sound like something the grand kids would love (and me too). We love meatball subs so that would be how I serve them, I think.
Sounds delicious, Terri. You gave me an idea.
What a yummy meatballs and I really want to try this glad that you share your awesome recipe.
You are welcome, Angela. I hope you enjoy this recipe.
I love meatballs! These look incredibly delicious and easy to make.
Thanks 🙂
You always such amazing recipes. These look and sound like a filling component to a big Italian meal.
Thanks a lot, Jen. These are perfect addition to an italian entree.
These look amazing and would look great beside all other appetizers. I like these as it would add substance to the usual pepperoni and sausage I use along with veggies and fruit.
Thank you, Gladys! They are the perfect appetizers for gatherings!
I love that the meaballs are equipped with forks! So handy to eat. Meatballs, or anything made of giniling , are winners to me. This must be good with lots of sauce choices on the side like you said:)
Exactly, Sanna! Thank you!