Italian Meatballs

Okay, I know, everyone loves their meatballs

Mom’s, nanna’s, nonnas, gramps, grams, pops, paps, cousin Vinny, etc, etc, yep I get it

There are so many different variations out there and bragging rights fly around like pollen in spring

I absolutely respect all of it

I have had about 1 gazillion meatballs and I have taken the best of what I have enjoyed and put it all together

So let me share my Italian meatballs with you and you can be the judge!

We normally can’t make these fast enough. They are gone as soon as we turn our backs

I mean literally!

I’m making a big batch using 3 pounds of ground turkey (you can use whatever ground meat you like), I find the turkey stays super moist and picks up a lot of flavor

Next, we will need 1 cup of plain breadcrumbs, 6-8 ounces of grated romano cheese (you can use parmesan), 2 teaspoons of kosher salt and ground black pepper

My friend Dina’s mom had a rule… cook with romano and garnish with parmesan and she made fantastic Italian food so I have to agree with her

Add this to the bowl

Next, we will need 3 pieces of potato bread soaked in about 1/2 cup of milk and 4 whisked eggs

Add the eggs to the bowl

Break the bread into small pieces and add to the bowl as well

Finely chop 5-6 garlic cloves finely along with around 1/2 cup of fresh chopped parsley

Into the bowl they go

Now using your hands gently mix all the ingredients together being careful not to over work the meat which can make the meatballs dense

Preheat the oven to 350 F

Place a piece of parchment paper on a sheet pan

My father in law uses a measuring cup to scoop out the meat which ensures they are even amounts

This is a great trick

Now you just have to figure out how big you want the meatballs to be

I use a 1/3 cup measure for these

Scoop the meat out onto the parchment

Don’t worry about the shape yet

Just keep scooping

Once they are scooped out come back and gently roll them between the palms of your hands to smooth them out

Now place them in the oven

Lets these cook for 25-30 minutes or until they are nicely browned and firm to the touch

I like to wipe some of the grease off with a paper towel

Remove and set aside to rest

I have to warn you though… don’t turn your back too long!

In my house these tend to disappear!

At this point, you can eat them as they are, or add you can add them into sauce, or learn to juggle

We had a sauce going so we added them in and simmered them for about 30 minutes to meld all the flavors

Click on our link to make Simple Tomato Sauce

We went very traditional here and served these over spaghetti with our delicious sauce!!

Enjoy!!!

Simply Sundays! ~ Italian Meatballs

Servings: 8-10
Time: Prep 15 Min, Cook 30 Min to 1 Hour
Difficulty: Medium
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Ingredients

3 pounds of ground turkey

1 cup of plain bread crumb (more may be needed to help bind the meat)

4 large eggs

3 pieces potato bread (soaked in a 1/2 cup of milk)

6-8 ounces of grated Pecorino Romano cheese

2 teaspoons of kosher salt

2 teaspoons of ground black pepper

5-6 garlic cloves finely chopped

1/2 cup of fresh parsley chopped

Simple Tomato Sauce

1 pound of spaghetti cooked and drained according to the boxes directions

Directions

Place the turkey meat into a large mixing bowl. Add 1 cup of plain bread crumb and 6-8 ounces of grated romano cheese along with 2 teaspoons each of kosher salt and ground black pepper

Soak 3 pieces of potato bread in about 1/2 cup of milk. Break this up into small pieces and add to the meat along with 4 whisked eggs. Add in 5-6 garlic cloves finely chopped along with a 1/2 cup of fresh chopped parsley

Using your hands gently mix all the ingredients together being careful not to over work the meat which can make the meatballs dense. Preheat oven to 350 F. Place a sheet of parchment paper into a sheet pan

Using a 1/3 measuring cup scoop out the meat mixture onto the parchment. Come back and gently roll the meatballs between the palms of your hands until smooth. Place the meatballs in the oven. Lets these cook for 25-30 minutes or until they are nicely browned and firm to the touch. Remove and set aside to rest

You can eat these as is or add to our Simple Tomato Sauce and let simmer for 25-30 minutes. Cook your favorite pasta according to the packages directions. Serve the meatballs over spaghetti with some sauce

Tools used to make this recipe

Architec Carving Board, Gripperwood

Mini Prep Glass Bowl

Pyrex Mixing Bowl

Pyrex Bakeware Scalloped Pie Plate

Royal Classique 10 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring Cups and Spoons Set with Silicone Handles

Wilton Recipe Right Non-stick Cookie Sheet Set, 2-Piece