Best Meatball Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ½ cup minced yellow onions
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 7 cups crushed canned tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 pounds ground beef
80% to 85% lean
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
or Italian-style
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ cup finely minced yellow onion
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasonings
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ¼ cup sliced basil
Directions
- 1
Make the Tomato Sauce - In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-low heat. Once hot, add the onion and garlic, and sauté until the onions are translucent, about 3 minutes.Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Simmer covered, with lid slightly ajar to prevent splattering for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- 2
Heat the Oven - Set the oven rack to the lower-middle position. Heat the oven to broil. Line a large baking sheet with foil and lightly grease it with olive oil. Set aside.
- 3
Make the Meatball Mixture - In a large bowl, add the ground beef, eggs, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, minced onion, salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and minced garlic. Use your hands to mix thoroughly until combined.
- 4
Shape the Meatballs - Measure out 1/3 cup of the ground beef mixture (3 ounces), about the size of an egg, then roll it into a ball. Evenly space them on the prepared baking sheet. This should yield 14 to 15 meatballs.
- 5
Broil the Meatballs - Transfer the meatballs to the lower-middle position in the oven. Cook until the surface is browned, about 10 to 12 minutes. Flip the meatballs and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes to lightly brown the other side.
- 6
Simmer - Transfer the meatballs to the tomato sauce. Cover the pot with the lid slightly ajar, and simmer on low heat for at least 1 ½ hours, checking and stirring every 20 minutes, or as needed. The meatballs should be fork-tender when sliced.
- 7
To Serve - If needed, adjust the consistency of the sauce with water, about 1 tablespoon at a time. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve meatballs topped with sauce, sliced basil, and Parmesan cheese if desired.
Best Meatball Recipe
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About this Recipe
Craving the kind of meatballs your nonna used to make, simmered in a rich, flavorful tomato sauce? This "Best Meatball Recipe" delivers classic Italian comfort, ensuring tender, juicy meatballs perfect for gathering around the table with a hearty plate of spaghetti. What sets this recipe apart is its dedication to creating truly tender and juicy meatballs, a hallmark of excellent Italian cooking. With a generous mix of ground beef, eggs, and breadcrumbs, these meatballs are designed for maximum flavor and an irresistible texture that stands up beautifully to a long, slow simmer in a homemade tomato sauce. Prepare for a truly satisfying culinary experience. Each bite of these meatballs reveals a moist, tender interior, bursting with savory notes from the seasoned ground beef, parmesan, and aromatic garlic and onion. They are lovingly coated in a robust tomato sauce, slow-simmered to develop deep, concentrated flavors from crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and a touch of basil. This hearty, classic Italian dish, perfect for sharing, promises a comforting meal that evokes warmth and tradition. It generously yields 14 servings, making it ideal for family dinners or entertaining. This recipe allows for a nuanced flavor profile. You can choose between plain or Italian-style breadcrumbs to either keep the focus purely on the savory meat and tomato or to introduce additional herbal notes. While the recipe specifies 80% to 85% lean ground beef for optimal juiciness, feel free to slightly adjust the amount of minced onion and garlic in the meatball mixture to suit your personal taste preferences for a milder or bolder aroma. These classic meatballs and sauce are, of course, a match made in heaven with spaghetti noodles. Serve them piled high for a quintessential Italian family dinner, perfect for Sunday supper or any occasion that calls for comforting, homemade fare. A sprinkle of fresh basil adds a final fragrant touch.