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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. Kim says

    Posted on 8/29/17 at 3:05 am

    These look delicious, my other half loves meatballs so I’ll have to try out this recipe on him!

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 9/10/17 at 4:52 am

      Thank you Kim! These are really tasty! I hope you guys enjoy them.

      Reply
  2. Mayuri says

    Posted on 8/29/17 at 1:50 am

    5 stars
    I love meatballs and this looks dee-licious! I am definitely going to try out this recipe, it looks easy 🙂

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 9/10/17 at 3:13 pm

      Thanks, Mayuri. This recipe is a keeper not only because it is delicious but also because of its simplicity. Enjoy!

      Reply
  3. zina says

    Posted on 8/29/17 at 12:07 am

    I like this recipe and meatballs with pasta and red sauce actually is one of our favorite dishes! Thank you for sharing it!

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 9/10/17 at 3:13 pm

      You are welcome Zina. You can’t go wrong with pasta and red sauce. 🙂

      Reply
  4. yukti says

    Posted on 8/29/17 at 12:05 am

    4 stars
    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.

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 9/10/17 at 3:14 pm

      Exactly Yukti! They are so versatile.

      Reply
  5. jhilmil says

    Posted on 8/28/17 at 5:34 pm

    5 stars
    Interesting, so neat. I shall go for vegetable balls of same style since I’m a vegan :). Shall follow your recipe directions

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 9/10/17 at 3:16 pm

      Interesting! Let me know how it goes. 🙂

      Reply
  6. five little doves says

    Posted on 8/28/17 at 3:29 pm

    These look delicious! We love meatballs, they are one of the childrens favourites, I will definitely gve these a try!

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 9/10/17 at 3:17 pm

      Thanks! I am sure the kids will love these. They are tasty!

      Reply
  7. ana says

    Posted on 8/28/17 at 3:14 pm

    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

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 9/10/17 at 3:19 pm

      Thanks, Ana! That sounds delicious!

      Reply
  8. Familyearthtrek says

    Posted on 8/28/17 at 11:04 am

    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.

    http://www.familyearthtrek.com

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 9/10/17 at 3:20 pm

      Thank you! These are great, I am sure you will love them!

      Reply
  9. Coralie says

    Posted on 8/28/17 at 9:23 am

    My son saw these and fell in love! I am going to make them for him. They loo delicious.

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 9/10/17 at 3:20 pm

      Thanks, Coralie! Your son will love these.

      Reply
  10. Terri Beavers says

    Posted on 8/28/17 at 5:06 am

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 9/10/17 at 3:21 pm

      Sounds delicious, Terri. You gave me an idea.

      Reply
  11. Angela Milnes says

    Posted on 8/28/17 at 3:11 am

    What a yummy meatballs and I really want to try this glad that you share your awesome recipe.

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 9/10/17 at 3:22 pm

      You are welcome, Angela. I hope you enjoy this recipe.

      Reply
  12. NORAH says

    Posted on 8/27/17 at 6:14 pm

    5 stars
    I love meatballs! These look incredibly delicious and easy to make.

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 8/28/17 at 6:07 am

      Thanks 🙂

      Reply
  13. Jen Temcio says

    Posted on 8/27/17 at 6:07 pm

    You always such amazing recipes. These look and sound like a filling component to a big Italian meal.

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 9/10/17 at 3:26 pm

      Thanks a lot, Jen. These are perfect addition to an italian entree.

      Reply
  14. Gladys parker says

    Posted on 8/27/17 at 12:26 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 9/10/17 at 3:27 pm

      Thank you, Gladys! They are the perfect appetizers for gatherings!

      Reply
  15. sanna says

    Posted on 2/11/15 at 11:25 am

    5 stars
    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:)

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 9/10/17 at 4:45 am

      Exactly, Sanna! Thank you!

      Reply
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