Chef John’s Italian Meatballs
A perfect meatball should be tender, juicy, and packed with flavor—and this recipe nails it. With a blend of beef and pork, herbs, cheese, and a hint of spice, these Italian meatballs are the real deal. Serve them over spaghetti, in a sub, or on their own with marinara!
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 (about 24 meatballs) 1x
Ingredients
⅓ cup plain bread crumbs
½ cup milk or beef broth
2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, diced
1 lb ground beef
1 lb ground pork
2 large eggs
2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
¼ bunch fresh parsley, chopped
3 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp dried Italian herb seasoning
½ tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
In a small bowl, soak bread crumbs in milk or broth; set aside to absorb.
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté diced onion until soft and translucent. Let cool slightly.
In a large bowl, combine ground meats, soaked breadcrumbs, sautéed onion, eggs, Parmesan, parsley, garlic, and seasonings. Mix gently until just combined.
Form into 1½-inch balls and place on a lined baking sheet.
Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes or until browned and cooked through. Or, pan-fry until golden and finish in sauce.
Notes
Storage: Refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze up to 2 months
Tender, garlicky, and irresistibly savory—these meatballs will win over any table, any night!
Nutrition
- Calories: 290 per serving
- Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Protein: 22g
Find it online: https://flavorscroll.com/chef-johns-italian-meatballs/