Chef John's Italian meatballs are renowned for their juicy, flavorful interior and crispy, golden-brown exterior. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, this article will guide you through the steps to create these delectable meatballs, from gathering the necessary ingredients to mastering the cooking techniques. Discover the secrets behind Chef John's meatballs and elevate your culinary skills as you embark on this culinary journey.
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CHEF JOHN'S ITALIAN MEATBALLS
Homemade meatballs are a very easy to make, and since we skip the very messy step of pan-frying these before they hit the sauce, it becomes downright simple. Here I use a standard half-beef/half-pork mixture. You can substitute water or beef broth for the milk, if preferred.
Provided by Chef John
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 2h15m
Yield 30
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Cover a baking sheet with foil and spray lightly with cooking spray.
- Soak bread crumbs in milk in a small bowl for 20 minutes.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onions in hot oil until translucent, about 20 minutes.
- Mix beef and pork together in a large bowl. Stir onions, bread crumb mixture, eggs, parsley, garlic, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, Italian herb seasoning, and Parmesan cheese into meat mixture with a rubber spatula until combined. Cover and refrigerate for about one hour.
- Preheat an oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
- Using wet hands, form meat mixture into balls about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Arrange onto prepared baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven until browned and cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 81.9 calories, Carbohydrate 1.7 g, Cholesterol 32.3 mg, Fat 5.5 g, Fiber 0.2 g, Protein 6.2 g, SaturatedFat 1.9 g, Sodium 192.1 mg, Sugar 0.5 g
AUTHENTIC ITALIAN MEATBALLS
Meatball recipes are often challenged by chefs who claim, "Mine are the best!" Even though my meatballs ARE the best, I will make no such claim. Try them for yourself! This meatball recipe was given to me by my father who got it from a little old lady from Italy that he knew. It's amazing that she gave up her recipe to him, but I sure am glad she did!
Provided by InMemoryofBrats
Categories Meat
Time 3h20m
Yield 10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Mix all ingredients in a large bowl by hand.
- Use your bare hands for best results.
- Roll meatballs to about the size of a golf ball. (wet your hands to prevent the meat from sticking to them while rolling the meat balls).
- Drop raw meatballs into large (I use a stock pot) pot of sauce.
- (I have an incredible sauce recipe {#92096} I use for my meatballs).
- Simmer for about 3 hours.
CHEF JOHN'S RICOTTA MEATBALLS
Ricotta-spiked meatballs are so tender, so flavorful, and so delicious. There are hardly any ingredients. Of course we're going to throw this over some spaghetti, because we're Americans and that's what we do with meatballs.
Provided by Chef John
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 1h
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Saute onion in 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir garlic into onion and turn off heat. Transfer onion mixture to a large mixing bowl.
- Stir ground beef, ricotta cheese, parsley, egg, kosher salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper with onion mixture until almost combined; stir in bread crumbs and continue to mix until thoroughly blended.
- Roll about 2 tablespoons of mixture into a 1-inch ball for each meatball. Pour 2 tablespoons olive oil in same skillet used to cook onions. Place skillet over medium heat and brown meatballs on all sides in hot oil, about 5 minutes. Hold a crumpled paper towel in a tongs and use it to remove excess grease from skillet.
- Pour marinara sauce and water over meatballs in skillet. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until meatballs are cooked through and no longer pink in the center, about 30 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 331.1 calories, Carbohydrate 18.9 g, Cholesterol 75.3 mg, Fat 20.9 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 16.3 g, SaturatedFat 7 g, Sodium 864.6 mg, Sugar 9.4 g
Tips:
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your meatballs.
- Don't overmix the meatball mixture. Overmixing will make the meatballs tough.
- Let the meatballs rest for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This will help them hold their shape.
- Cook the meatballs in a hot oven. This will help them brown and develop a crispy crust.
- Don't overcrowd the meatballs in the pan. This will prevent them from cooking evenly.
- Serve the meatballs with your favorite sauce. Marinara sauce is a classic choice, but you can also use Alfredo sauce, pesto sauce, or any other sauce you like.
Conclusion:
Chef John's Italian meatballs are a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a flavorful and satisfying meal that your family and friends will love. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy dinner idea, give Chef John's Italian meatballs a try. You won't be disappointed!
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