Italian Meatballs in a Basket
Turn your dinner into a show-stopping centerpiece with this recipe for *Italian Meatballs in a Basket*! Juicy, flavor-packed meatballs made with a perfect blend of ground beef, Italian sausage, Parmesan, and fresh herbs are simmered in rich marinara sauce and elegantly served inside crispy, golden Parmesan baskets. This creative presentation transforms a hearty Italian classic into a sophisticated dish that's as beautiful as it is delicious. With just a handful of simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, you’ll create an impressively gourmet meal that’s perfect for entertaining or elevating your everyday dinner table. Garnished with fresh basil, each basket is a savory masterpiece that delivers irresistible textures and flavors in every bite. Perfect for family dinners, romantic meals, or dinner parties—this recipe combines comfort food with an unforgettable twist.
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Ingredients
- 500 g Ground beef
- 250 g Italian sausage
- 75 g Breadcrumbs
- 50 g Grated Parmesan cheese (for meatballs)
- 60 ml Milk
- 1 large Egg
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 15 g Fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 500 ml Marinara sauce
- 200 g Grated Parmesan cheese (for baskets)
- 10 g Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
Directions
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
Step 2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, Italian sausage, breadcrumbs, 50g of grated Parmesan, milk, egg, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper.
Step 3
Mix the ingredients thoroughly with your hands until evenly combined, being careful not to overwork the mixture.
Step 4
Shape the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs (about 20-24 meatballs).
Step 5
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches and sear them until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes per batch. Remove and set aside.
Step 6
In the same skillet, pour the marinara sauce and bring it to a simmer. Return the seared meatballs to the skillet, cover, and cook on low heat for 20 minutes, occasionally spooning the sauce over the meatballs.
Step 7
While the meatballs are cooking, prepare the Parmesan baskets: Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Place small piles (about 50g each) of grated Parmesan cheese on the parchment, spreading each into a roughly 10cm (4-inch) circle.
Step 8
Bake the Parmesan circles in the preheated oven for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the edges are golden brown.
Step 9
Remove the tray from the oven and let the Parmesan circles cool for 30 seconds. Carefully lift each circle with a spatula and drape it over an inverted small bowl or glass to form a basket shape. Allow to cool completely and harden.
Step 10
To assemble, place a Parmesan basket on each plate. Add 4-5 meatballs and spoon marinara sauce over the top.
Step 11
Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1745.0g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 3624.8 |
| Total Fat 253.3g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 106.2g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 15.7g | |
| Cholesterol 917.7mg | 0% |
| Sodium 10121.6mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 96.8g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 7.8g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 22.4g | |
| Protein 235.7g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 223.8IU | 0% |
| Calcium 3222.3mg | 0% |
| Iron 19.6mg | 0% |
| Potassium 2549.6mg | 0% |
Source of Calories