Authentic Northern Italian Meatballs Recipe

Discover the secret to unbelievably delicious and versatile Northern Italian meatballs! This recipe uses a lighter approach to the classic, perfect for meal prepping and freezing. Enjoy these flavorful meatballs in countless ways – from hearty pasta sauces to satisfying salads. See the photo gallery for inspiration! Easily adaptable to your preferences, you can swap in whole eggs for egg whites, regular chicken stock for fat-free, and regular breadcrumbs for panko.

Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 45 mins

Calories 406.9 kcal

Protein 55g

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295

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The Forktionary Kitchen Team

Adapted from Food.com, then tested & standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Authentic Northern Italian Meatballs

¼ cup fat-free chicken broth
¼ cup finely chopped yellow onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup flat leaf Italian parsley, finely chopped
1 pound lean ground beef
½ pound ground lean pork
½ pound ground lean veal (optional)
½ cup panko breadcrumbs
2 egg whites
¼ cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1 teaspoon salt
Marinara sauce, for serving
Extra virgin olive oil (for frying, or for lightly greasing the baking sheet)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon black pepper

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How to Make Authentic Northern Italian Meatballs

In a large bowl, gently combine the ground beef, ground pork, egg whites (or whole eggs), grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, chopped onion, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
Gradually add the fat-free chicken stock (or regular chicken stock), mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
Stir in the panko breadcrumbs (or regular breadcrumbs) until the mixture is evenly moistened.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. This step is crucial for tender meatballs.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.
Roll the meatball mixture into 1-inch meatballs. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and browned.
Serve immediately or allow to cool completely before freezing for future use. Enjoy in your favorite pasta sauce, on top of salads, or as a delicious appetizer!

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

60 g

Sugar

54g

Fat

37g

Carbs

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

Starters Appetizers & Snacks Main Courses Lunch Main Dish / Dinner Beef & Red Meat Ground Beef Recipes Pork Recipes European Italian Mediterranean Healthy Game Day Recipes

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make Authentic Northern Italian Meatballs?

Authentic Northern Italian Meatballs takes about 65 minutes from start to finish — roughly 20 minutes to prepare and 45 minutes to cook.

How many calories are in Authentic Northern Italian Meatballs?

Authentic Northern Italian Meatballs has approximately 406.9 calories per serving, with about 55 g protein, 7 g carbohydrates and 33 g fat.

What ingredients do I need for Authentic Northern Italian Meatballs?

The key ingredients for Authentic Northern Italian Meatballs are Fat Free Chicken Broth, Yellow Onion, Garlic Cloves, Flat Leaf Italian Parsley, Lean Ground Beef, Ground Lean Pork. See the full list with measurements above.