Forktionary

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
Rating 4.5 (2 Reviews)
Authentic Northern Italian Meatballs 110

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Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. 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

  1. 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.
  2. Gradually add the fat-free chicken stock (or regular chicken stock), mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
  3. Stir in the panko breadcrumbs (or regular breadcrumbs) until the mixture is evenly moistened.
  4. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. This step is crucial for tender meatballs.
  5. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.
  6. Roll the meatball mixture into 1-inch meatballs. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each.
  7. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and browned.
  8. 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

7g

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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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60 Minutes Or Less Time To Make Course Main Ingredient Cuisine Preparation Occasion For Large Groups Appetizers Main Dish Beef Pork Easy European Beginner Cook Dinner Party Kid Friendly Italian Dietary One Dish Meal Comfort Food Oamc Freezer Make Ahead Veal Ground Beef Toddler Friendly Meat Brunch Taste Mood Number Of Servings