The Ultimate Family Recipe for Tender, Flavor-Packed Meatballs!
Why These Meatballs Stand Out
✔️ Triple-meat blend (beef, pork & veal) for perfect texture
✔️ Milk-soaked bread keeps them incredibly tender
✔️ Fresh herbs & garlic for authentic Italian flavor
✔️ Two-step cooking (bake + simmer) ensures juicy perfection
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef (85% lean)
- 1 lb (450g) ground pork
- ½ lb (225g) ground veal (see subs below)
- 4 slices Italian bread (crusts removed)
- 1 cup whole milk (for soaking bread)
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- ½ cup fresh breadcrumbs
- 3 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Kosher salt
- 1 tbsp black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 cup Parmesan, grated
For Serving
- 4 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- Extra Parmesan & fresh basil for garnish
Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Prep the Bread Base (5 mins)
- Tear bread into pieces, soak in milk for 5 minutes.
2️⃣ Mix the Meats (10 mins)
- In large bowl, combine:
- Ground beef, pork, veal
- Eggs, breadcrumbs, herbs, garlic, salt & pepper
- Squeeze excess milk from bread, add to mixture.
- Mix gently by hand (don’t overwork!).
3️⃣ Form & Chill (15-60 mins)
- Roll into 3 oz balls (golf ball size).
- Refrigerate 15+ minutes (helps hold shape).
4️⃣ Bake to Set (30 mins)
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake on parchment-lined sheet 15 mins per side.
5️⃣ Simmer in Sauce (20-30 mins)
- Heat marinara in large pot.
- Gently add meatballs, simmer covered on low heat.
6️⃣ Serve Like Nonna
- Garnish with fresh basil & Parmesan.
- Perfect with:
🍝 Pasta
🥖 Crusty bread
🥗 Antipasto salad
Pro Tips
🔹 No veal? Use all pork + beef, or sub ground turkey.
🔹 Extra tender? Add ¼ cup ricotta to the mix.
🔹 Crispy option? Pan-fry instead of bake (3 mins per side).
🔹 Make ahead? Freeze unbaked meatballs for 3 months.
FAQs
Q: Can I skip the milk-soaked bread?
A: Not recommended! This is key for tender texture.
Q: How to prevent falling apart?
A: Chill before cooking, and avoid overmixing.
Q: Best pasta pairing?
A: Rigatoni or spaghetti – sauce clings perfectly!
Nutrition (Per 2 Meatballs)
| Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 504 | 32g | 35g | 12g |
These melt-in-your-mouth meatballs will transport you to Italy!
👉 Tag your creations #ItalianMeatballMagic 🧆✨
