Get the App

Recipes

Find a Recipe Blue Ribbon Recipes Pinch It!™ Feed Browse All Recipes

Editorial

Food Bites & Articles Videos What is a Blue Ribbon? Meet the Test Kitchen

Community

Member Recipes Groups Sweepstakes Contests Shopping

bonnie’s italian meatballs

ReikiHealsTheSoul avatar
Recipe by
BonniE !
@ReikiHealsTheSoul
Cottonwood, CA

This is the way I make my basic meatballs. They are very flavorful and just wonderful in gravy, soups, spaghetti sauce, meatball sandwiches or eaten as a snack or appetizer. This recipe makes about 75 meatballs. I freeze cooked meatballs, 10 to a package, which is just the right amount for us for a meal. Great to have on hand for unexpected company. Enjoy!

yield serving(s)
cook time 30 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For bonnie’s italian meatballs

  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • ½ pound ground pork (italian sausage can be used.)
  • 1 pound ground veal
  • 3 eggs, beaten
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1 ½ cups bread crumbs (i use 4c's bread crumbs)
  • 2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
  • ½ cup minced fresh parsley
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons coarse ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried leaf basil
  • ½ teaspoon dried leaf oregano
  • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
  • 3 cloves minced garlic
  • 2/3 cup hand grated romano cheese

How To Make bonnie’s italian meatballs

  • 1
    Meatballs 101, Cook's Advice: Use a gentle hand when it comes to making meatballs. If you over mix them, they will be tough. For the most tender meatballs, mix the meat with the binder of milk and breadcrumbs and other ingredients just until everything is combined. Use a scoop to measure meatballs the same size. When making balls, don't pack them together too tightly, or they will cook up tough, rubbery, and chewy. Again, use a gentle hand when mixing and forming meatballs.
  • 2
    Lightly mix the meats, spices, Worcestershire sauce, garlic and cheese together.
  • 3
    Mix breadcrumbs with the milk. Add beaten eggs to the meat mixture.
  • 4
    Lightly mix by hand.
  • 5
    Forming the Meatballs: Using a 1 ½ inch or 2 inch scoop, make meatballs by scooping the mixture into your hand and gently forming a ball without packing the meat mixture.
  • 6
    Place the meatballs on the prepared pan.
  • 7
    Cooking the Meatballs: You can brown the meatballs on all sides in a heavy skillet, or you can use this oven method: Take a large sheet pan and line it with foil (reflective side up and they won't stick) and spray the pan with kitchen spray. Bake in a 375 oven about 30 minutes until the thermometer reaches 165 degrees. Do NOT overcook. Remember, some oven temps may vary.
  • Italian Meatballs baked in the oven
    8
    These meatballs are delicious in soups or sauces. They don't fall apart.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
ADVERTISEMENT