Ingredients for Authentic Italian American Meatballs
- 1 lb Ground Pork
- 1 lb Ground Veal
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- 1 cup grated Romano Cheese
- 1/2 cup finely chopped Italian Parsley
- 4 cloves minced Garlic
- 1 tbsp Sea Salt
- 1 tbsp Fresh Ground Black Pepper
- 3 large Eggs
- 1 cup plain Breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup Cold Water (or as needed)
- 1 - 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 - 28 ounce can tomato puree
- 1 - 6 ounce can tomato paste
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 large chopped onion
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped or torn
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How to Make Authentic Italian American Meatballs
- In a large bowl, combine all ingredients below until thoroughly mixed.
- Gradually add cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the mixture is moist but not wet. (It should hold its shape when squeezed gently.)
- Prepare a large batch of your favorite homemade marinara sauce and heat it thoroughly over medium-high heat.
- Reduce heat to low. Gently form the meatball mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs.
- Carefully add the raw meatballs to the simmering sauce. (Do this gently; the pot will be full!)
- Cover the pot completely and let it simmer undisturbed for 3 hours.
- After 3 hours, gently stir the meatballs, ensuring even cooking and sauce coverage. Re-cover and simmer for another 3 hours.
- After 6 hours, stir gently and carefully skim off any excess grease from the surface of the sauce.
- Cover and continue to simmer for a final 2 hours.
- Serve these incredible meatballs over your favorite pasta, polenta, or crusty bread. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)
Sodium
164 g
Sugar
4g
Fat
46g
Carbs
4g