Rao's Famous Meatballs

Experience the authentic taste of Italian-American comfort food with Rao's Famous Meatballs—a timeless recipe perfected over generations. Crafted from a flavorful trio of ground beef, veal, and pork, these tender, juicy meatballs are enriched with Pecorino Romano cheese, fresh parsley, and fragrant garlic for a burst of savory goodness in every bite. Lightly browned in olive oil and then simmered to perfection in a rich marinara sauce, each meatball is a harmonious blend of textures and flavors. Perfect for serving over pasta, in a hearty sandwich, or as a standout appetizer, this recipe guarantees a restaurant-quality meal that's easy to recreate at home. With just 20 minutes of prep and a satisfying 40-minute cook time, Rao's Famous Meatballs are a must-try for lovers of classic Italian cuisine.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 0.5 pound Ground beef (80% lean)
• 0.5 pound Ground veal
• 0.5 pound Ground pork
• 2 Eggs
• 0.5 cup Grated Pecorino Romano cheese
• 1 cup Plain breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped
• 3 Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.5 cup Water
• 0.25 cup Olive oil
• 4 cups Marinara sauce

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground veal, and ground pork. Mix together gently until well combined.

Step 2

Add the eggs, grated Pecorino Romano cheese, breadcrumbs, chopped parsley, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to the meat mixture. Mix gently with your hands until just combined, being careful not to over-mix.

Step 3

Slowly add the water a little at a time, mixing lightly until the mixture is moist but still holds its shape.

Step 4

Using your hands, form the mixture into meatballs about the size of a golf ball (approximately 1.5 inches in diameter). You should end up with about 12-14 meatballs.

Step 5

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, carefully add the meatballs in batches. Cook on all sides until evenly browned, about 8-10 minutes per batch. Use tongs to turn them gently to prevent breaking.

Step 6

Remove the browned meatballs from the skillet and transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 7

In a large pot or saucepan, heat the marinara sauce over medium heat until it begins to simmer.

Step 8

Carefully place the browned meatballs into the simmering sauce. Cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and allow the meatballs to simmer in the sauce for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 9

Serve the meatballs hot, either on their own, over cooked pasta, or in a sandwich. Garnish with additional Pecorino Romano cheese and fresh parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2179.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3644.1

Total Fat 239.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 80.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 7.1g
Cholesterol 1017.5mg	0%
Sodium 7337.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 129.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 13.9g	0%
Total Sugars 28.1g
Protein 229.8g	0%

Vitamin D 223.1IU	0%
Calcium 1844.9mg	0%
Iron 20.7mg	0%
Potassium 1718.7mg	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: 25.6%

Carbs: 14.5%