Grandma's Italian Meatballs

Transport yourself to the heart of Italy with Grandma's Italian Meatballs—an irresistible classic brimming with old-world flavor. These tender, homemade meatballs are crafted from a perfect blend of ground beef and pork, enhanced by savory Parmesan, fresh parsley, and aromatic garlic. Bound together with breadcrumbs, milk, and eggs, each meatball is delicately seasoned with oregano and a touch of black pepper for authentic taste. After a golden sear in olive oil, they're gently simmered to perfection in rich, velvety marinara sauce, ensuring melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. Ready in just an hour, this comforting recipe is perfect served over al dente spaghetti, paired with crusty bread, or enjoyed solo. Discover why this family-favorite dish has been passed down for generations—your search for the ultimate Italian meatball ends here!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground beef
• 0.5 pound Ground pork
• 1 cup Breadcrumbs
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 0.25 cup Fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 0.25 cup Milk
• 2 pieces Large eggs
• 3 pieces Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 4 cups Marinara sauce

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley.

Step 2

In a separate small bowl, whisk together the milk and eggs. Pour the mixture into the large bowl with the meat.

Step 3

Add minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and dried oregano to the bowl. Mix thoroughly using your hands until all the ingredients are evenly combined. Be careful not to overwork the mixture.

Step 4

Scoop about 2 tablespoons of the mixture and roll it into a ball. Repeat until all the meat mixture is used, forming approximately 18-20 meatballs.

Step 5

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, add the meatballs to the skillet and brown them on all sides. This should take about 8-10 minutes per batch. The meatballs do not need to be fully cooked at this stage.

Step 6

Once all the meatballs are browned, transfer them into a large pot. Pour the marinara sauce over the meatballs, ensuring they are completely submerged.

Step 7

Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot with a lid. Allow the meatballs to cook in the sauce for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 8

Serve the meatballs hot over cooked spaghetti, alongside crusty bread, or as a standalone dish garnished with additional grated Parmesan and fresh parsley.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2042.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3007.5

Total Fat 200.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 68.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 922.7mg	0%
Sodium 6562.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 123.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 13.9g	0%
Total Sugars 30.6g
Protein 189.5g	0%

Vitamin D 106.8IU	0%
Calcium 952.0mg	0%
Iron 21.8mg	0%
Potassium 1890.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 59.0%

Protein: 24.8%

Carbs: 16.1%