Best Italian Meatball Recipe

This Italian Meatball recipe is simple to make, full of flavor, tender, and pairs perfectly with my family’s homemade pasta sauce!

This meatball recipe was passed down to my father and mother from my Nana along with her homemade pasta sauce recipe. I can only imagine learning from my Nana would have been very similar to learning from my father. Their hands or wooden spoons are used for measurements and they say a lot of “about this much.”

Whenever I pull out the recipe card that I wrote out after asking for the recipe, I laugh just a little at the lack of information on it and text him to see if I got the measurements right. He usually says something like, “yeah, that looks pretty good. Right ingredients.” No matter what, they always taste excellent and just as good as when my father or mother make them and the house smells amazing!

I have made these meatballs to put with spaghetti, in soup, or to make a meatball sandwich. They can be frozen and added to your sauce or soup, creating a homemade meal and spending less time in the kitchen.

Italian Meatball Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound ground pork
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup of water
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons parsley
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Oven Baked Method

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. Line baking sheet with foil.
3. In a large bowl, mix together the bread crumbs, water, and eggs. Add in the beef, pork, minced garlic, parsley, parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper.
4. Use hands to break apart the meat and and mix all ingredients until evenly combined.
5. Place formed meatballs on lined baking sheets, fitting about 24 per sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes.
6. Remove meatballs from oven and stir into homemade pasta sauce. Simmer on low until sauce is finished.

Stovetop Method

1. Add formed meatballs to a skillet, heated over medium heat.
2. Cook meatballs in batches until golden brown on bottom (about 2 minutes). Turn to opposite side and cook until golden brown. Once all sides are golden brown, transfer to homemade pasta sauce and allow to simmer with sauce for at least 20 minutes or until cooked through.