Homemade Meatballs: A Hearty Classic

Introduction

Meatballs, with their savory blend of ground meat, herbs, and spices, are a beloved comfort food enjoyed around the world. Whether served with pasta, in sandwiches, or on their own, these juicy morsels are a delight to savor. Let's dive into creating your very own homemade meatballs.

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Ingredients: What You'll Need

Let's gather all the essential ingredients for these delightful meatballs.

For the Meatballs:

1 pound (450g) of ground beef (you can also use a mixture of beef and pork for added flavor).

1/2 cup (40g) of breadcrumbs.

1/4 cup (60ml) of milk.

1/4 cup (25g) of grated Parmesan cheese.

1/4 cup (25g) of grated mozzarella cheese.

1/4 cup (15g) of fresh parsley, finely chopped.

1/4 cup (60ml) of ketchup.

1 egg, beaten.

2 cloves of garlic, minced.

1/2 teaspoon of salt.

1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.

1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional, for a hint of spice).

2 tablespoons of olive oil (for cooking).

For the Sauce (Optional):

1 can (14 ounces or 400g) of crushed tomatoes.

1 teaspoon of dried oregano.

1/2 teaspoon of sugar.

Salt and black pepper to taste.

Making Your Homemade Meatballs

Let's get started on creating these flavorful homemade meatballs:

Preparing the Meatballs:

In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk. Let them sit for a few minutes until the breadcrumbs absorb the milk and become soft.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the soaked breadcrumbs, ground beef, grated Parmesan and mozzarella cheese, fresh parsley, ketchup, beaten egg, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).

Mix all the ingredients together gently but thoroughly. Be careful not to overwork the mixture, as this can make the meatballs tough.

Shape the mixture into meatballs of your desired size. A golf ball-sized portion works well.

Cooking the Meatballs:

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.

Add the meatballs to the skillet, making sure there's enough space between them to allow for even cooking.

Cook the meatballs for about 6-8 minutes, turning them occasionally to brown all sides. They should be cooked through and no longer pink in the center.

Preparing the Sauce (Optional):If you'd like to serve your meatballs with sauce, you can make a simple one by combining the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, sugar, salt, and black pepper in a separate saucepan. Simmer it over low heat for about 10 minutes, then spoon it over the cooked meatballs.

Serving Your Homemade Meatballs

Your homemade meatballs are now ready to be served. Whether you enjoy them with pasta, on a sub sandwich, or as a savory appetizer, these meatballs are sure to satisfy your craving for comfort food.