Best 11 Excellent Classic Meatballs Recipes

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Meatballs, a timeless classic dish, hold a special place in culinary traditions worldwide. With their tender, succulent texture and flavorful profile, they have captivated taste buds for generations. In this article, we embark on a culinary journey to uncover the secrets of crafting the ultimate "excellent classic meatballs." Join us as we delve into the art of selecting the perfect ingredients, mastering the delicate balance of spices, and executing the cooking techniques that elevate meatballs to culinary stardom. Prepare to be tantalized as we explore a world of flavors, textures, and aromas that will transform your next meatball dish into an unforgettable dining experience.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CLASSIC MEATBALLS



Classic Meatballs image

With a savory blend of meats, flavorful cheese, and garlic, these meatballs are sure to be an instant favorite. The meatballs can be cooked without the sauce: Just reduce the heat to medium once they've browned, and cook for 5 to 10 minutes.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Beef Recipes     Ground Beef Recipes

Yield Makes about 18

Number Of Ingredients 11

8 ounces ground beef chuck (80 percent lean)
8 ounces ground pork
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or pecorino Romano cheese
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 slices white bread, torn into small pieces (1 cup packed)
1/4 cup whole milk
Basic Red Sauce
Extra-virgin olive oil, for frying (about 3 tablespoons)

Steps:

  • Mix together beef and pork using your hands. Stir in garlic, cheese, parsley, eggs, and 1 1/4 teaspoons salt; season with pepper. Soak bread in milk for 5 minutes, and then stir into meat mixture. Lightly dampen hands, and roll mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls, transferring to a rimmed baking sheet as you work. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
  • Bring sauce to a gentle simmer in a medium pot. Meanwhile, heat oil in a heavy medium skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, fry meatballs, shaking skillet occasionally, until brown all over, about 6 minutes, and transfer to sauce. Simmer until meatballs are cooked through, about 10 minutes. (Test doneness by cutting 1 meatball open.)

CLASSIC MEATBALLS



Classic Meatballs image

This homemade meatball recipe is a Betty classic, and for great reason! For generations, home cooks have relied on this hearty meatball recipe to show some skills the kitchen. All it takes to achieve this meaty main dish is eight basic ingredients. Got them? Great! Now, if you have 15 minutes to spare and a foil-lined 13x9 pan, perfectly browned and tender meatballs could be the answer to tonight's dinner jam. Yes, delicious doesn't take long! In the meantime, prepare spaghetti or rice, veggies or salad, because this recipe goes with anything!

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 40m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef
1/2 cup Progresso™ Italian-style bread crumbs
1/4 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 small onion, finely chopped (1/4 cup)
1 egg

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 400°F. Line 13x9-inch pan with foil; spray with cooking spray.
  • In large bowl, mix all ingredients. Shape mixture into 24 (1 1/2-inch) meatballs. Place 1 inch apart in pan.
  • Bake uncovered 18 to 22 minutes or until temperature reaches 160°F and no longer pink in center.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 280, Carbohydrate 13 g, Cholesterol 125 mg, Fiber 1 g, Protein 24 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 480 mg, Sugar 3 g, TransFat 1 g

THE BEST MEATBALLS YOU'LL EVER HAVE



The Best Meatballs You'll Ever Have image

Very tasty meatballs full of spice and sauteed to perfection. I usually serve mine with spaghetti, but I've also served them with a BBQ sauce and rice on the side.

Provided by BEARNESTA

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Meatball Recipes

Time 35m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 pound lean ground beef
¾ cup crushed seasoned croutons
¼ cup chopped sweet onion
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 cloves garlic, chopped
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon butter

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, croutons, sweet onion, egg, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, red pepper flakes, and Cajun seasoning. Form the mixture by hand into meatballs.
  • Heat the olive oil and melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Place the meatballs in the skillet, and cook, turning constantly, 20 minutes, or to desired doneness.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 335.8 calories, Carbohydrate 9.7 g, Cholesterol 123.1 mg, Fat 22.5 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 22.7 g, SaturatedFat 8.9 g, Sodium 481.7 mg, Sugar 2.3 g

CLASSIC MEATBALLS



Classic Meatballs image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h20m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
10 cloves garlic (8 thinly sliced, 2 finely grated)
3 28-ounce cans whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes, crushed by hand
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon dried oregano
2 pounds ground beef
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup milk
2 large eggs

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Heat the olive oil and sliced garlic in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring, until the garlic is lightly golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes, 1 teaspoon salt, a few grinds of pepper and 2 teaspoons oregano. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly, 15 to 18 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, make the meatballs: Combine the beef, parmesan, breadcrumbs, parsley, milk, eggs, grated garlic, 2 teaspoons salt, a few grinds of pepper and the remaining 1 teaspoon oregano in a large bowl. Mix well with your hands. Form into thirty 1 1/2-inch meatballs and divide between 2 baking sheets. Bake until firm and lightly browned, 12 to 15 minutes.
  • Carefully remove the meatballs with a spatula and drain briefly on paper towels, then transfer to the sauce. Simmer until tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Transfer the meatballs and sauce to a slow cooker and keep on warm.

CLASSIC BEEF MEATBALLS



Classic Beef Meatballs image

Here they are-the top sellers at The Shop and sure to be a big hit at home. Most traditional meatball recipes call for Parmesan or pecorino cheese. While we're big fans of these stronger cheeses, we prefer ricotta. It's our secret weapon. The mild and creamy consistency of this fresh cheese gives the meatballs a unique light texture. Beef has a subtle flavor, and the ricotta is a great way to add fat and moisture to the recipe without the overpowering flavor of a sharper cheese. These are quick to prep, and baking rather than frying makes this a fast comfort food even during the busiest of weeks.

Provided by Daniel Holzman

Categories     Cheese     Egg     Tomato     Bake     Super Bowl     Father's Day     Dinner     Ground Beef     Family Reunion     Poker/Game Night     Party     Breadcrumbs     Sugar Conscious     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free

Yield Makes about 2 dozen 1 1/2-inch balls

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 pounds 80% lean ground beef
1 cup ricotta cheese
2 large eggs
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon ground fennel
4 cups Classic Tomato Sauce

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 450°F. Drizzle the olive oil into a 9×13-inch baking dish and use your hand to evenly coat the entire surface. Set aside.
  • Combine the ground beef, ricotta, eggs, bread crumbs, parsley, oregano, salt, red pepper flakes, and fennel in a large mixing bowl and mix by hand until thoroughly incorporated.
  • Roll the mixture into round, golf ball-size meatballs (about 1 1/2 inches), making sure to pack the meat firmly. Place the balls in the prepared baking dish, being careful to line them up snugly and in even rows vertically and horizontally to form a grid. The meatballs should be touching one another.
  • Roast for 20 minutes, or until the meatballs are firm and cooked through. A meat thermometer inserted into the center of a meatball should read 165°F.
  • While the meatballs are roasting, heat the tomato sauce in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring often.
  • When the meatballs are firm and fully cooked, remove them from the oven and drain the excess grease from the pan. Pour the tomato sauce over them. Return the meatballs to the oven and continue roasting for another 15 minutes.

THE BEST MEATBALLS



The Best Meatballs image

I never knew how to make good meatballs until I found this recipe. I normally make mine with just ground beef and they still taste great. I've used the combination of pork, beef and veal and they are equally good. Definitely use fresh bread crumbs and freshly grate your cheese instead of using the canned variety...it really does make a difference.

Provided by Geanine

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 50m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 pound ground beef
½ pound ground veal
½ pound ground pork
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 eggs
1 cup freshly grated Romano cheese
1 ½ tablespoons chopped Italian flat leaf parsley
salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 cups stale Italian bread, crumbled
1 ½ cups lukewarm water
1 cup olive oil

Steps:

  • Combine beef, veal, and pork in a large bowl. Add garlic, eggs, cheese, parsley, salt and pepper.
  • Blend bread crumbs into meat mixture. Slowly add the water 1/2 cup at a time. The mixture should be very moist but still hold its shape if rolled into meatballs. (I usually use about 1 1/4 cups of water). Shape into meatballs.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Fry meatballs in batches. When the meatball is very brown and slightly crisp remove from the heat and drain on a paper towel. (If your mixture is too wet, cover the meatballs while they are cooking so that they hold their shape better.)

Nutrition Facts : Calories 613.4 calories, Carbohydrate 6.6 g, Cholesterol 148.6 mg, Fat 53.2 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 26.6 g, SaturatedFat 15 g, Sodium 333.1 mg, Sugar 0.3 g

QUICK AND SIMPLE MEATBALLS



Quick and Simple Meatballs image

Keep a batch of these meatballs in your freezer for an easy weeknight meal. This simple meatball recipe can be used for pizzas, sub sandwiches, in soups and more. -Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 35m

Yield 24 meatballs.

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 large eggs
1/4 cup water
1 small onion, finely chopped
1-1/3 cups soft bread crumbs
2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 pounds ground beef

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375°. In a large bowl, combine eggs, water, onion, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic and seasonings; mix well. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into 1-1/2-in. balls. Place meatballs on greased racks in shallow baking pans. Bake, uncovered, until no longer pink, 15-18 minutes. , Freeze option: Freeze cooled meatballs in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in the microwave.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 276 calories, Fat 17g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 122mg cholesterol, Sodium 533mg sodium, Carbohydrate 6g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 24g protein.

CLASSIC BEEF MEATBALLS



Classic Beef Meatballs image

Ricotta cheese helps to make these meatballs moist and delicious in this popular recipe from Daniel Holzman and Michael Chernow's "The Meatball Shop Cookbook."

Provided by Martha Stewart

Yield Makes about 2 dozen 1 1/2-inch meatballs

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 pounds 80 percent lean ground beef
1 cup ricotta cheese
2 large eggs
1/2 cup dried breadcrumbs
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano (or 1 teaspoon dried)
2 teaspoons coarse salt
1/4 teaspoon crushed red-pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon ground fennel
4 cups Classic Tomato Sauce

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Drizzle olive oil into a 9-by 13-inch baking dish; using your hand, evenly coat entire surface. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, use your hands to mix together beef, ricotta, eggs, breadcrumbs, parsley, oregano, salt, red-pepper flakes, and fennel until fully incorporated. Roll mixture into firmly packed 1 1/2-inch balls.
  • Place meatballs in prepared baking dish, taking care to line them up snugly so that they are touching one another in even rows vertically and horizontally to form a grid. Transfer baking dish to oven. Bake until meatballs are firm and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of a meatball reads 165 degrees.
  • Meanwhile, heat tomato sauce in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring frequently.
  • Remove meatballs from oven and carefully drain excess grease from pan. Pour heated sauce over meatballs and return to oven; cook for 15 minutes more. Serve.

EXCELLENT CLASSIC MEATBALLS



Excellent Classic Meatballs image

These are the best meatballs I've ever tasted!! Add them to a simmering pot of sauce, have meatball subs or, as one blog suggested, serve them on top of polenta for a surprisingly tasty entree. The sauteed onions and garlic make this recipe special, but you can vary the meats or the size of the meatballs to suit your tastes. From chef Anne Burrell, Mario Batali's long time sous chef on Iron Chef America, who mixes crazy personality with excellent techniques. The recipe came with one for marinara sauce, but there are so many good ones posted here I didn't include it.

Provided by ninja

Categories     Pork

Time 1h23m

Yield 18-20 golfball-sized meatballs

Number Of Ingredients 13

extra virgin olive oil
1 large onion, cut in a 1/4-inch dice
kosher salt (don't use regular)
2 garlic cloves, smashed and chopped
1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 lb ground beef
1/2 lb ground veal
1/2 lb ground pork
2 large eggs
1 cup grated parmigiano
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh Italian parsley
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup water

Steps:

  • Coat a large saute pan with olive oil, add the onions and bring to a medium-high heat. Season the onions generously with Kosher salt and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes. The onions should be very soft and aromatic but have no color. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper and saute for another 1 to 2 minutes. Turn off heat and allow to cool.
  • In a large bowl combine the meats, eggs, Parmigiano, parsley and bread crumbs. It works well to squish the mixture with your hands. Add the cooled onion mixture, season generously with Kosher salt and squish some more. Add the water and do 1 final really good squish. The mixture should be quite wet.
  • Test the seasoning of the mix by making a mini hamburger size patty and cooking it. The mixture should taste really good! If it doesn't, it is probably missing salt. Add more. Add more anyway.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Shape the meat into desired size. Some people like 'em big; some people like 'em small. I prefer meatballs slightly larger than a golf ball. Coat a large saute pan with olive oil and bring to a medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides.
  • Place them on a cookie sheet and bake them in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked all the way through. If using right away, add them to a big pot of marinara sauce. If not using right away, they can be frozen for later use. Serve with pasta and sauce or just eat them straight out of the pot! YUM!

EXCELLENT MEATBALLS



Excellent Meatballs image

Provided by Anne Burrell

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h23m

Yield 18 to 20 meatballs

Number Of Ingredients 20

Extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, 1/4-inch dice
Salt
2 cloves garlic, smashed and chopped
Pinch crushed red pepper
1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 pound ground veal
1/2 pound ground pork
2 large eggs
1 cup grated Parmigiano
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup water
Marinara Sauce, recipe follows
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 pound diced pancetta
2 large Spanish onions, cut into 1/4-inch dice
Kosher salt
4 large garlic cloves, smashed and chopped
4 (28-ounce) cans Italian plum San Marzano tomatoes

Steps:

  • Coat a large saute pan with olive oil, add the onions and bring to a medium-high heat. Season the onions generously with salt and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes. The onions should be very soft and aromatic but have no color. Add the garlic and the crushed red pepper and saute for another 1 to 2 minutes. Turn off heat and allow to cool.
  • In a large bowl combine the meats, eggs, Parmigiano, parsley and bread crumbs. It works well to squish the mixture with your hands. Add the onion mixture and season generously with salt and squish some more. Add the water and do 1 final really good squish. The mixture should be quite wet. Test the seasoning of the mix by making a mini hamburger size patty and cooking it. The mixture should taste really good! If it doesn't it is probably missing salt. Add more. Add more anyway.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Shape the meat into desired size. Some people like 'em big some people like 'em small. I prefer meatballs slightly larger than a golf ball. Coat a large saute pan with olive oil and bring to a medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides. Place them on a cookie sheet and bake them in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked all the way through. If using right away, add them to your big pot of marinara sauce. If not using right away, they can be frozen for later use. Serve with pasta and sauce or just eat them straight out of the pot! YUM!
  • Coat a large saucepot with olive oil and add the pancetta. Bring the pot to a medium-high heat and cook the pancetta for 4 to 5 minutes. Add the onions, season generously with salt and stir to coat with olive oil. Cook the onions for 6 to 7 minutes stirring frequently. The onions should become very soft and aromatic but have no color. Add the garlic and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes stirring frequently.
  • Pass the tomatoes through the food mill. Be sure to pass all of the pulp through the holes leaving only the stems and the seeds, and be sure to scrape the pulp off of the bottom of the food mill. That's all of the big money stuff! Add the tomatoes to the pot and rinse out 1 of the empty tomato cans with water and add that water to the pot (about 2 to 3 cups). Season generously with salt and TASTE IT!!!! Tomatoes take a lot of salt. Season in baby steps and taste every step of the way. Cook the sauce for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally and tasting frequently.
  • Use the sauce right away on pasta or for any other tomato sauce need. This sauce can also be cooled and stored in the refrigerator for a few days and freezes really well.
  • Yield: 2 quarts

BEST ITALIAN MEATBALLS



Best Italian Meatballs image

This is my Dad's recipe. These are the best meatballs I've had and the house smells wonderful while cooking.

Provided by Amanda G.

Categories     Meat

Time 4h10m

Yield 24 meatballs

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 lb ground beef
1 lb Italian sausage (ground, or remove from casings)
1 cup Italian style breadcrumbs
1 egg
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
cayenne, red pepper flakes to taste

Steps:

  • Mix all ingredients together with hands.
  • Roll into balls.
  • Microwave in a single layer on a plate for 5-6 minutes per side or cook in a frying pan just til browned on the outsides.
  • Put meatballs in a crockpot with 2 jars spaghetti sauce for 2-3 hours on high or 4-6 hours on low.
  • Serve over your favorite pasta or in hoagie rolls with melted cheese on top.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 131, Fat 8.7, SaturatedFat 3.2, Cholesterol 33.4, Sodium 292.6, Carbohydrate 4.1, Fiber 0.2, Sugar 0.5, Protein 8.4

Tips:

  • Use a combination of ground meats. This will give your meatballs a more complex flavor and texture. Beef, pork, and veal are all good options.
  • Don't overmix the meatball mixture. Overmixing will make the meatballs tough.
  • Use a light touch when shaping the meatballs. Don't pack them too tightly, or they will be dry.
  • Brown the meatballs in a hot skillet before simmering them in sauce. This will give them a nice caramelized crust.
  • Use a flavorful sauce. The sauce is what really makes the meatballs, so make sure it's something you enjoy.
  • Let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for at least 30 minutes. This will give them time to absorb all the flavors of the sauce.
  • Serve the meatballs with your favorite sides. Pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, and vegetables are all good options.

Conclusion:

Meatballs are a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are easy to make and can be customized to your liking. With a few simple tips, you can make perfect meatballs every time. So next time you're looking for a delicious and hearty meal, give meatballs a try.

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