Forktionary

Authentic Italian Meatballs Recipe

Discover the taste of Italy with this authentic meatball recipe, passed down through generations! A little old lady from Italy shared this secret with my father, and now I'm sharing it with you. Forget those other recipes – these melt-in-your-mouth meatballs simmered in rich sauce are guaranteed to become a family favorite. Prepare for an explosion of flavor!

Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 200 mins
Calories 138.5 kcal
Protein 21g
Rating 4.3 (489 Reviews)
Authentic Italian Meatballs 94

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Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Authentic Italian Meatballs

  • 2 lbs ground beef (80/20)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup milk (whole or 2%)
  • 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs (panko preferred)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup grated Locatelli cheese (or Pecorino Romano)
  • 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped

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How to Make Authentic Italian Meatballs

  1. In a large bowl, gently combine all ingredients using your hands for the best texture. (The warmth of your hands helps to blend the meat beautifully.)
  2. Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs (about the size of a golf ball).
  3. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the sauce (recipe not included, use your favorite marinara!).
  4. Gently drop the meatballs into the simmering sauce.
  5. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 2-2.5 hours, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce has thickened. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  6. Serve over your favorite pasta or with crusty bread for dipping. Buon appetito!

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

8 g

Sugar

1g

Fat

15g

Carbs

1g

Recipe Categories (Choose a category and find related recipes!)

Main Courses Main Dish / Dinner Beef & Red Meat Ground Beef Recipes European Italian Mediterranean

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

Time To Make Main Ingredient Cuisine Preparation Beef European Italian Dietary Ground Beef Meat 4 Hours Or Less