Best 4 Southern Italian Meatballs Recipes
When it comes to Italian cooking, the southern region is known for its vibrant flavors and hearty dishes. The meatballs, in particular, are a staple of Southern Italian cuisine, and they are often served with pasta or as a main course. Whether you're a seasoned chef or just starting out, this article will guide you through the steps of creating delicious and authentic Southern Italian meatballs. We'll explore the ingredients and techniques that make these meatballs so unique, and provide tips on how to achieve the perfect texture and taste. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let's embark on a culinary journey to the heart of Southern Italy.
Let's cook with our recipes!
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 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
SOUTHERN ITALIAN MEATBALLS
This recipe was my Grandmother's - a sweet little lady from Bari Italy. The only thing I changed was the type of bread. Since the crust was removed from the Italian loaf, I use white bread.
Provided by venom59
Categories Meatballs
Time 1h15m
Yield 48 meatballs, 12-15 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Combine ground beef, sausage, veal, garlic, and parsley in a large bowl and put aside.
- Mix the bread, beef stock, Parmesan cheese, romano cheese, pepper, sea salt, eggs, and breadcrumbs together. Combine well, cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or over night.
- Roll into1-1/2 size balls and fry in 1' of olive oil until golden brown on all sides, or bake for 25 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit - great either way.
- Meatballs may be added to your favorite sauce or eat them straight from the oven or pan.
CHICKEN-PARMESAN MEATBALLS
A new spin on chicken parm.
Provided by Paige Grandjean
Time 35m
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Combine eggs, chicken, prosciutto, panko, basil, salt, black pepper, crushed red pepper, garlic, and 1 ounce of the Parmesan in a large bowl. Gently mix with your hands to thoroughly combine, taking care not to overmix. Shape into 12 (1¾-inch) balls (about 2 ounces each).
- Preheat oven to 450°F. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Cook meatballs in a single layer, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, 8 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Reduce heat to medium. Add wine to skillet; cook, scraping bottom of skillet to release browned bits, until reduced to about 2 tablespoons, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in marinara sauce. Arrange meatballs in skillet in a single layer; turn to coat in sauce. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and remaining 1 ounce Parmesan.
- Transfer skillet to preheated oven; bake until mozzarella cheese is melted and beginning to brown and internal temperature of meatballs registers 165°F, 10 to 14 minutes. Garnish with basil leaves. Serve with garlic bread, cooked spaghetti, or zucchini "noodles."
Tips:
- Use a combination of ground beef and ground pork for the meatballs. This will give them a richer flavor and a more tender texture.
- Soak the bread crumbs in milk before adding them to the meatball mixture. This will help to bind the meatballs together and prevent them from becoming dry.
- Season the meatball mixture generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You can also add other herbs and spices, such as basil, oregano, or thyme.
- Form the meatballs into small, 1-inch balls. Make sure they are packed tightly so that they don't fall apart when cooking.
- Brown the meatballs in a skillet over medium heat before simmering them in the sauce. This will help to develop their flavor and give them a nice crust.
- Use a good quality tomato sauce for the meatballs. You can use a store-bought sauce or make your own. If you are using a store-bought sauce, be sure to doctor it up with some fresh herbs and spices.
- Simmer the meatballs in the sauce for at least 30 minutes, or until they are cooked through. The longer they simmer, the more flavorful they will become.
- Serve the meatballs with spaghetti, mashed potatoes, or rice. You can also use them to make a meatball sandwich or sub.
Conclusion:
Southern Italian meatballs are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are easy to make and can be tailored to your own personal taste. Whether you like them simple or spicy, these meatballs are sure to please.
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