Hints for Making Large Quantities of Meatballs

Master the art of preparing crowd-pleasing meatballs with this essential guide for making large quantities of these flavorful bites. Perfect for parties, meal prep, or freezing for future meals, this recipe creates up to 50 tender and juicy meatballs using a savory mix of ground beef, ground pork, Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and aromatic garlic. The key to their irresistible texture lies in hydrating the breadcrumbs with milk and gently mixing to keep the meatballs soft and moist. Baked until golden and optionally simmered in your favorite sauce, these meatballs are as versatile as they are delicious. Whether serving them as appetizers, over pasta, or in hearty subs, this recipe ensures consistent results every time. Plus, with tips for freezing and reheating, you’ll always have a batch ready for your next meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 59/100

Prep Time:40 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 50

Ingredients

• 4 pounds Ground beef
• 2 pounds Ground pork
• 3 cups Breadcrumbs
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
• 6 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 6 large Eggs
• 1 cup Parsley (chopped)
• 2 teaspoons Oregano (dried)
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• 1.5 teaspoons Black pepper
• 1.5 cups Milk
• 0.25 cup Olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line several baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease them with olive oil.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef and ground pork using clean hands or a mixing spoon until evenly mixed.

Step 3

In a separate large bowl, whisk together the breadcrumbs and milk. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes to hydrate the breadcrumbs.

Step 4

Add the grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, beaten eggs, chopped parsley, oregano, salt, and black pepper to the breadcrumb mixture. Stir until fully combined.

Step 5

Gradually add the breadcrumb mixture to the ground meat in batches, mixing gently with your hands until the meat mixture is cohesive. Avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender.

Step 6

Using a cookie scoop or your hands, shape the meat mixture into 1- to 1.5-inch meatballs and place them onto the prepared baking sheets. Aim for uniform sizes to ensure even cooking.

Step 7

Once all the meatballs are formed, bake them in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). Rotate the baking sheets halfway through cooking for even browning.

Step 8

If desired, finish cooking the meatballs by simmering them in your favorite sauce for an additional 10-15 minutes to infuse them with flavor.

Step 9

Allow the meatballs to cool completely if freezing. Store them in airtight freezer bags or containers, separating layers with parchment paper.

Step 10

Reheat the meatballs from frozen by simmering them in sauce until heated through, or warm them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 15-20 minutes.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(4271.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	10200.2

Total Fat 688.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 267.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.6g
Cholesterol 3440.4mg	0%
Sodium 15892.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 301.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.9g	0%
Total Sugars 45.5g
Protein 732.4g	0%

Vitamin D 407.0IU	0%
Calcium 4409.6mg	0%
Iron 73.5mg	0%
Potassium 7874.5mg	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: 60.0%

Protein: 28.4%

Carbs: 11.7%