Classic Italian-American Comfort Meatballs
This Classic Italian-American Comfort Meatballs recipe is a treasured family secret that promises to become a staple in your kitchen. Juicy and flavorful, these meatballs are crafted from a blend of ground pork, veal, and beef, then enriched with aromatic herbs, fresh garlic, and rich Romano cheese. The slow-cooking process in homemade marinara sauce allows the meatballs to soak up all the flavors, resulting in a dish that's perfect for family gatherings or cozy dinners. While the cooking time is lengthy, the patience required to prepare this dish is rewarded with rich, savory flavors that will delight your taste buds and create lasting memories around the dinner table.
8-10
Servings
320
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
ground pork
1/2 lb (raw)
ground veal
1/2 lb (raw)
ground beef
1/2 lb (raw)
fresh grated Romano cheese
2 cups (grated)
Italian parsley
1 bunch (minced)
fresh minced garlic
1/4 cup (minced)
sea salt
1/4 cup (to taste)
fresh ground pepper
1/8 cup (to taste)
large eggs
4 (beaten)
fresh ground breadcrumbs
1 cup (freshly made)
cold water
as needed (for adjusting mixture)
Instructions
1
In a mixing bowl, combine the ground pork, veal, and beef along with the Romano cheese, minced parsley, garlic, sea salt, pepper, eggs, and breadcrumbs. Carefully mix until all the ingredients are uniformly integrated.
2
If the mixture feels too dry, add cold water, a little at a time, until the mixture is moist but not soggy.
3
In a separate pot, prepare a large quantity of homemade marinara sauce and heat it on the stove until it is very hot. Reduce the heat to low to maintain warmth without boiling.
4
Form the meat mixture into meatballs of your favorite size, being mindful that they will expand during cooking.
5
Gently place the raw meatballs into the hot marinara sauce, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot.
6
Cover the pot and allow the meatballs to simmer on low heat for three hours without stirring.
7
After three hours, gently stir the sauce and meatballs, then cover again and let them cook for an additional three hours.
8
At the six-hour mark, stir the meatballs again and remove any excess grease from the top of the sauce.
9
Cover and let them cook for a final two hours.
10
Once done, serve the meatballs with the sauce over your choice of pasta or enjoy them on their own. Savor every bite!
Nutrition Information
20g
Fat
15g
Carbs
22g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of meat are used in these Classic Italian-American Meatballs?
This recipe uses a traditional blend of ground pork, ground veal, and ground beef, with a half-pound of each.
How long do the meatballs need to cook in the sauce?
The meatballs require a total slow-cooking time of eight hours: an initial three hours undisturbed, another three hours after stirring, and a final two hours after skimming grease.
Do I need to brown the meatballs before putting them in the sauce?
No, the raw meatballs are placed directly into the hot marinara sauce to simmer, which allows them to soak up the flavors of the sauce.
What type of cheese is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of fresh grated Romano cheese to provide a rich, savory flavor.
How do I ensure the meatball mixture is the right consistency?
If the mixture of meat, cheese, and breadcrumbs feels too dry, you should add cold water a little at a time until it is moist but not soggy.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to serve between 8 and 10 people.
What should I do if the sauce gets too greasy?
At the six-hour mark of cooking, you should gently stir the meatballs and then remove any excess grease that has risen to the top of the sauce.
Are there eggs in this meatball recipe?
Yes, the recipe uses 4 large beaten eggs to help bind the ingredients together.
What kind of breadcrumbs are best to use?
The recipe specifies 1 cup of fresh ground breadcrumbs for the best texture and flavor.
How much garlic is required?
You will need 1/4 cup of fresh minced garlic for this recipe.
What is the calorie count for a serving of these meatballs?
Each serving contains approximately 320 calories.
Can I stir the meatballs immediately after putting them in the pot?
No, you should cover the pot and allow them to simmer for the first three hours without stirring to ensure they hold their shape.
What size should I make the meatballs?
You can form them into your favorite size, but keep in mind that they will expand slightly during the eight-hour cooking process.
How much fat is in one serving?
There are 20 grams of fat per serving.
What type of salt and pepper is recommended?
The recipe suggests using sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste.
What kind of parsley should I use?
Use one bunch of fresh Italian parsley, minced.
Is the marinara sauce cooked separately?
Yes, you should prepare a large quantity of homemade marinara sauce in a separate pot and heat it until very hot before adding the meatballs.
How much protein is in each serving?
There are 22 grams of protein in each serving.
How much carbohydrates are in each serving?
There are 15 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What category of meal does this recipe fall into?
This recipe is categorized as a One Dish Meal.
Should the pot be covered during the long cooking process?
Yes, the pot should remain covered while the meatballs simmer on low heat.
How do I prevent the pot from overcrowding?
Gently place the meatballs into the hot sauce and ensure there is enough space in the pot so they are not packed too tightly.
What is the primary flavor profile of these meatballs?
They are savory and juicy, characterized by a blend of three meats, rich Romano cheese, and aromatic garlic and parsley.
Can I serve these meatballs with pasta?
Absolutely, they are traditionally served with the sauce over your choice of pasta or can be enjoyed on their own.
How much Romano cheese is used per pound of meat?
Since there is 1.5 lbs of meat total, the 2 cups of Romano cheese provides a very high cheese-to-meat ratio for extra richness.
What temperature should the stove be set to for cooking?
The sauce should be maintained on low heat to ensure a gentle simmer without boiling.
Are these meatballs considered a comfort food?
Yes, they are tagged as a 'comfort food' and a 'family recipe' intended for cozy dinners or gatherings.
What is the total number of ingredients needed?
The recipe lists 11 ingredients total, including the various meats, seasonings, and binders.
Does the recipe include fiber or sugar information?
The provided nutritional data does not specify fiber or sugar content.
Why is the cooking time so long?
The eight-hour slow-cooking process allows the meatballs to thoroughly soak up the flavors of the marinara sauce and achieve a very tender texture.