Italian Meatballs
Versatile meatballs can be used on pasta, in a sub sandwich or in a dish with toothpicks as an appetizer. Always a good idea to double and freeze a bunch for later.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 2 lbs ground meat, lean ground beef recommended Sometimes I mix in Italian sausage. Also, turkey can be used.
- 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 1-2 Tbsp garlic clove, minced
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup parmesan
- ¼ cup dried onion
- 2 Tbsp dried Italian seasoning
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
Marinara Sauce
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 3 28 oz. cans of crushed tomatoes
- 1 sweet onion, minced
- 3-4 Tbsp garlic, minced
- 3 Tbsp dried Italian seasoning sometimes I add basil when I'm in a basil mood.
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 2 tsp Kosher salt
- 1-2 shakes cayenne pepper
Options For Serving
- 1 lb. pasta, cooked
- Mini sub, or sandwich rolls
- shredded mozzarella
- fresh parmesan
Instructions
Meatballs
- In a large mixing bowl combine all the meatball ingredients. I wear gloves and use my hands to combine all ingredients well.
- Prep a large baking sheet by spraying lightly with olive or canola oil.
- Use a scoop, I use my 2-inch scoop, to shape into evenly sized meatballs onto the baking sheet.
- Place the oven rack one down from the top. Place the sheet in the oven with the broiler on, and the oven door cracked open. Broil for 15 minutes.
- When finished, scoop into the prepared marinara or cool on paper towels then freeze in a gallon sized freezer bag. We always eat some and freeze the rest.
Marinara Sauce
- In a hot pot, drizzle in the oil. Add in the garlic and onion. Sauté for a few minutes.
- Add in the canned crushed tomatoes and all the seasonings.
- Stir occasionally while simmering for about 20 minutes. Taste before adding the meatballs to see if it needs more salt, or anything else.
- Add in the cooked meatballs. You can freeze the meatballs on their own, or in the sauce.
- Serve in a dish with toothpicks as an appetizer or antipasto course. Serve on Pasta with fresh parmesan. Or serve in a sub sandwich with mozzarella.