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Italian Meatballs

Italian Meatballs

These Italian Meatballs are extra soft and juicy, featuring a secret ingredient of grated onion for added flavor.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Meatballs, Pasta
Cuisine Italian
Servings 5 meatballs
Calories 442 kcal

Equipment

  • large bowl
  • Non-stick fry pan
  • Box Grater

Ingredients
  

Meatballs

  • 1 cup diced white sandwich bread crusts removed
  • 1 small onion brown, white or yellow
  • 14 oz ground beef 400 g
  • 3 oz ground pork 100 g, or sub with more beef
  • 1 egg
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • ¼ cup Parmigiano-Reggiano or parmesan, freshly grated
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Cooking Meatballs & Sauce

  • 2.5 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • ¾ cup onion finely chopped (white, brown or yellow)
  • 24 oz tomato passata 700 g
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes chili flakes
  • 3 teaspoon dried Italian herb mix parsley, basil, thyme, oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • black pepper to taste

To Serve

  • Pasta of choice
  • Parmesan
  • Parsley finely chopped (optional)

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Grate the onion using a standard box grater in a large bowl until you have about ½ cup of grated onion and juices.
  • Add bread, mix to combine so the onion juice soaks the bread and disintegrates. Set aside while you prep the other ingredients (5 min or so).
  • Add all the remaining Meatball ingredients. Use hands to mix well.
  • Measure out a heaped tablespoon and roll lightly to form a ball. Repeat with remaining mixture.

Cooking & Sauce

  • Heat 1 ½ tablespoon olive oil in a large non-stick fry pan over medium high heat. Add the meatballs and brown all over - about 3 - 4 minutes.
  • When they are browned but NOT cooked through, carefully transfer them onto a plate.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil into the fry pan. Add the onion and garlic and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until translucent.
  • Add the remaining Sauce ingredients. Bring to a simmer, then turn down to medium low so it bubbles gently.
  • Carefully transfer the meatballs and any juices that have pooled on the plate into the Sauce.
  • Cook the meatballs for 8 - 10 minutes, turning and stirring occasionally. Adjust Sauce salt and pepper to taste.
  • While the meatballs are cooking, cook your pasta of choice.
  • Serve the meatballs on pasta, garnished with extra parmesan and parsley if using.

Notes

Use plain white sandwich bread for best results. Substitute with ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs if needed. Pork can be substituted with more beef. Tomato passata can be pureed canned tomatoes if necessary.

Nutrition

Serving: 307gCalories: 442kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 34gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 125mgSodium: 1552mgPotassium: 1127mgFiber: 5gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 1000IUVitamin C: 27.6mgCalcium: 214mgIron: 6.3mg
Keyword Homemade Meatballs, Italian meatballs, juicy meatballs, pasta, soft meatballs, tomato sauce
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