Juicy and delicious meatballs

Whip up a batch of juicy and delicious meatballs with this simple recipe! Made with ground beef, white bread, milk, fresh basil, and parsley, this dish is packed with flavor. Top with parmesan cheese and a touch of pasta sauce for the perfect savory bite. Perfect for a family dinner or meal prep.

  • 28 Feb 2025
  • Cook time 20 min
  • Prep time 25 min
  • 4 Servings
  • 10 Ingredients

Juicy and delicious meatballs

Welcome to a masterful recipe for juicy and delicious meatballs! This dish combines a harmony of fresh herbs, rich beef, and classic Italian flavors to create meatballs that are bursting with taste and perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re preparing dinner for the family or hosting a dinner party, these meatballs are sure to impress.

Ingredients:

2 slices white bread
70g
1/2 cup milk (1% fat)
120g
1 onion
160g
18 oz ground beef (80/20%)
510g
1 egg
50g
1/2 cup basil leaves
3.50g
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
27g
1/2 bunch fresh parsley
27g
2 tbsp olive oil
27g
1/3 cup pasta sauce
72g

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Bread Mixture:
- Tear the slices of white bread into small pieces and place them in a bowl.
- Pour the milk over the bread pieces and allow them to soak until the bread absorbs the milk and becomes soft, about 5 minutes.
2. Sauté the Onion:
- Peel and finely chop the onion.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion to the skillet and sauté until soft and translucent, approximately 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
3. Mix the Meatball Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, egg, soaked bread, and sautéed onion.
- Chop the basil leaves and fresh parsley finely.
- Add the chopped basil, parsley, and grated Parmesan cheese to the meat mixture.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Use your hands or a spoon to mix everything together until just combined. Do not overmix, as this can make the meatballs tough.
4. Form the Meatballs:
- Take a small portion of the meat mixture and roll it between your hands to form a meatball about 1 to 1½ inches in diameter.
- Place the formed meatballs on a tray or plate. You should get about 20-24 meatballs, depending on the size.
5. Cook the Meatballs:
- In the same skillet used for sautéing the onion, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the meatballs in batches, ensuring you don’t overcrowd the pan. Cook until they are browned on all sides, about 8-10 minutes per batch. The meatballs do not need to be cooked through at this point, just browned.
- Transfer the browned meatballs to a plate lined with paper towels.
6. Simmer in Pasta Sauce:
- Once all the meatballs are browned, pour the pasta sauce into the skillet.
- Return the meatballs to the skillet, ensuring they are coated with the sauce.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for about 20 minutes, or until they are cooked through and tender.
7. Serve and Enjoy:
- Serve the juicy and delicious meatballs hot, topped with a little extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
- You can serve these meatballs with pasta, in a sub roll, or alongside some garlic bread.

Tips:

- For the best texture, soak the white bread in milk until it is fully absorbed before mixing it with the other ingredients.

- Finely chop the onion and parsley to ensure they are evenly distributed throughout the meatballs.

- Do not overmix the ground beef mixture; this could result in tough meatballs. Mix just until combined.

- For evenly sized meatballs, use an ice cream scoop or spoon to portion the mixture.

- Brown the meatballs in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan, ensuring a nice sear on each one.

- After browning, you can finish cooking the meatballs in the oven for even cooking and to maintain juiciness.

- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the meatballs reaches 160°F (75°C) for safe consumption.

There you have it! Your juicy and delicious meatballs are ready to be enjoyed. Pair them with your favorite pasta, place them in a sub, or enjoy them on their own. This recipe not only delivers in flavor but also brings a touch of homemade goodness to your table. Bon appétit!

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size270 grams
Energy
Calories 460kcal23%
Protein
Protein 30g19%
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates 16g5%
Fiber 1.74g5%
Sugar 6g6%
Fat
Fat 36g43%
Saturated 12g41%
Cholesterol 150mg-
Vitamins
Vitamin A 100ug11%
Choline 130mg23%
Vitamin B1 0.20mg17%
Vitamin B2 0.38mg29%
Vitamin B3 7mg45%
Vitamin B6 0.55mg32%
Vitamin B9 60ug15%
Vitamin B12 3.13ug130%
Vitamin C 13mg14%
Vitamin E 0.95mg6%
Vitamin K 120ug101%
Minerals
Calcium, Ca 180mg14%
Copper, Cu 0.15mg16%
Iron, Fe 4.02mg37%
Magnesium, Mg 44mg11%
Phosphorus, P 340mg27%
Potassium, K 620mg18%
Selenium, Se 30ug55%
Sodium, Na 390mg26%
Zinc, Zn 6mg57%
Water
Water 180g-
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

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