A good meatball should be packed with flavor and tender throughout. Although the process can be a labor of love, making them from scratch is really easy. Here’s how to make perfect meatballs every time but remember the Italians do NOT serve meatballs with spaghetti… that is an American combination.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup fine, dry breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pound ground meat, such as beef, pork, turkey, chicken, or veal, or a mix
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion (or grated on the large holes of a box grater)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Directions
- Combine the milk and breadcrumbs. Place the breadcrumbs in a small bowl, pour in the milk, and stir to combine. Set aside while preparing the rest of the meatball mixture. The breadcrumbs will absorb the milk and become soggy.
- Whisk the egg, salt, pepper, Parmesan, and parsley. Whisk the egg in a large bowl until broken up. Add the Parmesan, parsley, salt, and a generous quantity of black pepper, and whisk to combine.
- Add the ground meat. Add the meat to the egg mixture. Use your hands to thoroughly mix the egg mixture into the ground meat.
- Add the onions and soaked breadcrumbs. Add the onions, garlic, and soaked breadcrumbs. Mix them thoroughly into the meat with your fingers. Try not to overwork the meat; pinch the meat between your fingers rather than kneading it.
- Form the meat into meatballs. Have a rimmed baking sheet ready. Pinch off a piece of the meat mixture and gently roll between your hands to form meatballs (about 2 tablespoons each). Continue shaping until all the meat is used, placing the meatballs on the baking sheet so that they are not touching.
- Option 1: Roast or broil the meatballs in the oven. Broil the meatballs on a rimmed baking sheet for 20 to 25 minutes, or roast at 200°C for 25 to 30 minutes. The meatballs are done when cooked through, the outsides are browned, and they register 75°C in the middle on an instant-read thermometer. Serve immediately.
- Option 2: Cook the meatballs directly in sauce. Bring a tomato sauce to a simmer and add as many meatballs as will fit comfortably in the pan. Cover and simmer for 30 to 35 minutes. Serve immediately.
