Authentic Italian Family Meatballs
Bringing together flavors passed down through generations, this Italian Meatball recipe is a cherished family secret that elevates home cooking. Made with a perfect blend of ground beef and Italian sausage, these meatballs are incredibly tender, flavorful, and reminiscent of Sunday dinners at Nonna's house. As they simmer in the succulent spaghetti sauce, the aroma fills your kitchen, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Serve them over al dente pasta or in a toasted hoagie roll for a satisfying meal that will leave everyone asking for more.
24
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ground Beef
1 lb (fresh)
Italian Sausage
1 lb (ground, or removed from casings)
Italian Style Breadcrumbs
1 cup (plain)
Egg
1 (beaten)
Parmesan Cheese
1/4 cup (grated)
Cayenne Pepper
to taste (ground)
Red Pepper Flakes
to taste (crushed)
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, Italian sausage, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, grated Parmesan cheese, cayenne pepper, and red pepper flakes.
2
Using your hands, mix the ingredients just until well combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the meatballs tough.
3
Shape the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs, making sure they are uniform in size for even cooking.
4
Option 1: Place the meatballs in a microwave-safe dish in a single layer and microwave on high for 5-6 minutes. Flip the meatballs and microwave for an additional 5-6 minutes until cooked through.
5
Option 2: Heat a frying pan over medium heat, add a little oil, and brown the meatballs on all sides; they do not need to be fully cooked at this stage.
6
Transfer the browned meatballs into a crockpot. Pour in 2 jars of your favorite spaghetti sauce, ensuring the meatballs are submerged.
7
Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-6 hours until the meatballs are tender and infused with sauce.
8
Serve the meatballs over cooked pasta or in hoagie rolls topped with melted cheese.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this meatball recipe?
The recipe is for Authentic Italian Family Meatballs.
What types of meat are used in these meatballs?
The recipe uses a blend of one pound of ground beef and one pound of Italian sausage.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 24 servings.
How large should I shape the meatballs?
You should shape the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs.
What is the secret to keeping the meatballs tender?
Mix the ingredients just until well combined using your hands and avoid overmixing, which can make them tough.
How long do I cook the meatballs in a crockpot on high?
Cook the meatballs on high for 2 to 3 hours.
How long do I cook the meatballs in a crockpot on low?
Cook the meatballs on low for 4 to 6 hours.
Can I cook these meatballs in the microwave?
Yes, you can microwave them in a single layer on high for 5-6 minutes per side until cooked through.
Do I need to brown the meatballs before putting them in the crockpot?
Yes, you should either microwave them or brown them in a frying pan on all sides before transferring to the crockpot.
How much spaghetti sauce is required?
You will need 2 jars of your favorite spaghetti sauce.
What kind of breadcrumbs should I use?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of Italian Style Breadcrumbs.
Is there cheese in the meatball mixture?
Yes, the recipe includes 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
How should the Italian sausage be prepared?
The Italian sausage should be ground or removed from its casings.
What spices add heat to these meatballs?
Cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes are added to taste for flavor and heat.
How many eggs are needed?
The recipe requires one beaten egg.
What are some serving suggestions for these meatballs?
You can serve them over al dente pasta or in a toasted hoagie roll with melted cheese.
Do I need to fully cook the meatballs in the frying pan?
No, they only need to be browned on all sides; they will finish cooking in the crockpot.
How many main ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 7 main ingredients listed for the meatball mixture.
Should the meatballs be submerged in the sauce?
Yes, ensure the meatballs are submerged in the sauce while cooking in the crockpot.
Is this a traditional family recipe?
Yes, it is described as a cherished family secret reminiscent of Sunday dinners at Nonna's house.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include italian, meatballs, pasta, comfort food, family recipe, hearty meal, and crockpot.
What category does this recipe belong to?
This recipe is categorized under Meat.
How should the Parmesan cheese be prepared?
The Parmesan cheese should be grated.
Can I use a slow cooker for this recipe?
Yes, the recipe specifically uses a crockpot to simmer the meatballs in sauce.
What should I do if the meatballs are too tough?
To avoid toughness in the future, ensure you do not overmix the meat and ingredients.
What size dish should I use for the microwave option?
Use a microwave-safe dish large enough to hold the meatballs in a single layer.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to combine the ground beef, sausage, breadcrumbs, egg, cheese, and peppers in a large mixing bowl.
Is the beef used in the recipe fresh?
Yes, the ingredient list specifies 1 lb of fresh ground beef.
What temperature should the frying pan be?
The frying pan should be heated over medium heat.
Why is it important to make meatballs uniform in size?
Making them uniform ensures even cooking throughout the batch.