Description
Sink your teeth into these Juicy Italian Meatballs and enjoy the essence of traditional comfort food at its best. Perfectly seasoned with garlic, Parmesan, and parsley, these meatballs are tender, rich, and simmered in a classic marinara sauce that brings the whole dish together. Whether you’re searching for a quick dinner idea, a hearty family meal, or easy food ideas for meal prep, this easy recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Ideal for busy weeknights or special Sunday gatherings, these meatballs will soon become one of your go-to dinner ideas.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef (80/20)
1 pound ground pork
1 cup breadcrumbs
3/4 cup whole milk
2 large eggs
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
3 cups marinara sauce
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, soak breadcrumbs in milk for 5 minutes.
2. Add ground beef, ground pork, eggs, Parmesan, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to the bowl.
3. Gently mix until just combined—do not overwork.
4. Roll the mixture into 1.5-inch balls and place on a parchment-lined tray.
5. Heat oil in a skillet and brown meatballs on all sides over medium heat.
6. Transfer browned meatballs to a pot of simmering marinara sauce.
7. Cover and simmer on low for 25–30 minutes until fully cooked and juicy.
8. Serve over pasta, polenta, or in a meatball sub.
9. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan before serving.
Notes
Don’t over-mix the meat or the meatballs may turn out tough.
Browning the meatballs before simmering enhances both texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop + Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approx. 3 meatballs
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: easy dinner, meatball recipe, Italian food, comfort food, food ideas, meal prep