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An Authentic Italian Meatball Recipe – tender and delicious homemade meatballs loaded with herbs and cheese. With only a few simple ingredients, and our recipe will leave your friends and family asking for this meal again and again!
Authentic Homemade Italian Meatballs
Homemade Italian Meatballs are a labor of love in our family. It’s the meal that gets made for holidays or potlucks.
We bring this to friends and family that need just had a baby or surgery or lost a loved one. It is our comfort food.
Mr. Juggling Act is the meatball maker in our home. He perfected his craft as a teen working in his dad’s pizza shop. Now, Olivia is learning quickly and getting the hang of it, too!
On Christmas Eve, we put our homemade Italian meatballs with our Homemade Tomato Sauce recipe into the slow cooker. The meatballs become super tender and the whole house smells delicious.
Despite everyone nibbling Christmas cookies and the meat and cheese board, everyone always has room for meatballs! We serve them sometimes with cavatelli or gnocchi, which we save for special occasions!
Ingredients for Authentic Italian Meatball Recipe
To make these meatballs, you will need dried basil, granulated garlic, and dried parsley as well as salt and pepper from your pantry. You will also need:
- ground beef – 80/20 mix will ensure the meatballs are moist and delicious!
- ground pork – the richness of the pork is key in this recipe
- bread crumbs – to help bind the meatballs together
- grated Parmesan cheese – this salty cheese is perfect for meatballs!
Why do meatballs fall apart when cooking?
Meatballs fall apart because of the binder. Too many breadcrumbs make them crumble, not enough will do the same thing. This family recipe is tried and true. Perfect meatballs every time!
Should I roll my meatballs in flour?
No, that step is not necessary as these meatballs are baked, not fried.
Why are my meatballs tough?
The meatballs are tough when the meat is overworked. Mix the mixture together just enough to combine the ingredients.
Using your hands will help you know when the meat is mixed well enough. Rolling the meatballs gently between your palms until they just come together, don’t overwork.
Can you overcook meatballs in sauce?
No, simmering the meatballs in sauce keeps them moist and tender! I recommend serving these in this easy homemade tomato sauce recipe. It’s rich and delicious, another family favorite!
Authentic Meatballs
How long will meatballs keep in the refrigerator?
Refrigerated, they will last about a week.
Can you freeze the Italian Meatballs?
Yes, they freeze great!
- Wait until they are completely cooled.
- Then place them in a freezer bag and remove as much of the air as possible.
- Store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
For a list of some of my favorite items to use when cooking, and why I chose them, please visit my Kitchen Resource page.
How to Make Authentic Italian Meatball Recipe
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix really well. Mr. Juggling Act uses his hands to mix.
- If the mixture feels very dense, you can add a splash of water.
- Roll the meat mixture into 2″ balls.
- The mixture will feel a little like dough that needs more flour; denser.
- TIP: Do not overwork the meatballs. Roll them gently between your palms until they just come together.
- Arrange the meatballs on a large baking tray.
- Add about 1/2-inch of water to the tray to prevent the meatballs from sticking or burning.
- Bake in a 350-degree F oven for about 35-40 minutes, or until meatballs are browned.
What can I serve with Authentic Italian Meatball Recipe?
Keep it simple and serve this with a Chicken Caesar Salad or Italian Bread Salad and Buttery Dinner Rolls.
My recipe for No-Bake Tiramisu Cups would make a perfect dessert!
More Italian Favorites:
Using leftover Meatballs and Sauce
Easy Meatball Calzone
Flavorful meatball calzones loaded with mozzarella dn colby jack cheeses make an awesome easy weeknight meal and are perfect for parties or game day, too! We love this super delicious and simple recipe.
Get the Recipe >>>
Authentic Italian Meatball Recipe
Meatball Cupcakes
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Equipment
Ingredients
Homemade Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb ground pork
- 1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons dried basil
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 eggs
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Meatball Cupcakes
- 2 containers of take and bake croissant rolls each container will help make 4 muffins
- 8 meatballs frozen or fresh, we went with larger fresh meatballs so the muffins would be really filling
- ½ cup red sauce divided
- ½ cup cream cheese
- ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- Italian seasoning to taste
Instructions
Homemade Meatballs
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix really well. Mr. Juggling Act uses his hands to mix. If the mixture feels very dense, you can add a splash of water.
- Roll the meat mixture into 2″ balls. The mixture will feel a little like dough that needs more flour, more dense.
- TIP: Do not overwork the meatballs. Roll them gently between your palms until they just come together.
- Arrange the meatballs on a large baking tray. Add about 1/2-inch of water to the tray to prevent the meatballs from sticking or burning.
- Bake in a 350-degree F oven for about 35-40 minutes, or until meatballs are browned.
- If you wish to freeze some or all of the meatballs, wait until they are completely cooled. Place them in freezer bag and remove as much of the air as possible. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- Cooked Meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Meatball Cupcakes
- Preheat oven to 375 F
- Spray a muffin pan with nonstick spray.
- Open and roll out the crescent rolls, press two of the triangles together to create a rectangle.
- Push the rectangles of dough into the muffin wells.
- Divide the cream cheese and shredded cheese between the dough pieces.
- Add about a tablespoon of red sauce to the cups.
- Set a meatball inside each dough cup.
- Top with a little more sauce, cheese and the Italian spices.
- Gently wrap any extra dough closer to the meatballs.
- Bake for about 15-18 minutes depending on the size of the meatball or until the dough is fully cooked and golden brown.
Notes
Homemade Meatballs
If you do not want to use Parmesan cheese, substitute additional breadcrumbs instead. Tips to make tender meatballs: Mix the meat together just enough to combine the ingredients. Using your helps will help you know when it’s well combined. Roll the meatballs gently between your palms until the meatballs come together, don’t overwork.Make Ahead Crescent Roll Meatball Muffins
- Remove the meatball cupcakes from the muffin tin and place onto a cooling rack; cool completely.
- To freeze, transfer cooled meatball muffins to resealable freezer bag – be sure to label it!
- Freeze.
I made these for dinner and they were very good. I will definitely make them again!
Hey Cassie! I’m SO happy you tried these and enjoyed them!
Thanks so much for stopping by to let me know 🙂
I didn’t expect the recipe to be so simple. Can’t wait to try!
Super simple but so amazing!
Thanks for stopping by Christina 🙂
Excellent recipe ! The taste was outstanding and I’ve found my GoTo recipe for meatballs. Thank you
Thank you for the recipe!
This is the best meatball recipe I have ever made! I even make them into patties and bake them for Italian burgers!