{"id":16628,"date":"2018-12-28T11:02:45","date_gmt":"2018-12-28T17:02:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/utter-business.flywheelsites.com\/?p=16628"},"modified":"2023-01-02T14:02:57","modified_gmt":"2023-01-02T20:02:57","slug":"homemade-italian-meatballs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greatgrubdelicioustreats.com\/homemade-italian-meatballs\/","title":{"rendered":"Homemade Italian Meatballs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Homemade Italian Meatballs are an easy-to-serve crowd-pleaser that is sure to become a family favorite. These delicious meatballs are full of comforting flavor, Parmesan cheese, and seasoned just right. A delicious Italian meatball recipe everyone will love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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I love meatballs. They make the perfect appetizer or main dish, depending on how you use them, and everyone always loves seeing a big plateful of them. When my kids lived at home, I routinely made a ton of meatballs. They were perfect to feed a full family, and they made excellent leftovers the next day, as well. This particular recipe has always been one of my favorites because it’s so easy to make even though it’s completely homemade. In just a few minutes, I can make completely homemade meatballs, and then I just let them cook in the slow cooker! Even now that my kids have moved out and started their own families, I still make this recipe, especially when I know I’ll be particularly busy for the next few days. It’s a great one for turning dinner into lunch and then dinner again the next day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Homemade Italian Meatballs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
These delicious meatballs start with ground beef. Then, I add onions, garlic, and Panko, along with a few other things to make a simple meatball base. Then, they’re baked and slow-cooked in spaghetti sauce until they’re perfectly tender, juicy, and delicious. From there, it’s totally up to me what I do with them. They’re great as appetizers or as a delicious spaghetti and meatballs dish. I even love putting them on toasted subs to make meatball sandwiches. You can do almost anything with them!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Why You’ll Love These Homemade Italian Meatballs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
They’re easy to make an only use a few simple ingredients.<\/li>
They’re savory and so delicious.<\/li>
They are perfect for spaghetti and meatballs, meatball sandwiches, appetizers, and so many other delicious Italian recipes.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Tips for the Best Meatballs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Keep all the meatball ingredients cold so the fat doesn’t begin melting before you start cooking them.<\/li>
Add moisture like eggs and\/or milk. This keeps the meatballs from becoming tough as they cook and the meat releases its fat.<\/li>
Be gentle when forming your meatballs. If you pack them too tightly, they’ll turn out tough, rubbery, and chewy.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Variations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Use a mix of ground beef and ground pork.<\/li>
Make these meatballs with ground turkey or chicken.<\/li>
Use your favorite brand and variety of spaghetti sauce for this recipe. They all work!<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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What to Serve with Homemade Italian Meatballs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
This delicious recipe is absolutely delicious in so many ways. In addition to adding them to spaghetti or making a sub out of them, you can pair them with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Crusty bread<\/li>
Garlic bread<\/li>
Bread sticks<\/li>
Side salad<\/li>
Your favorite vegetables<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Recipe FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What’s the difference between regular meatballs and Italian meatballs?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Italian meatballs are simply a regular meatball base with Italian seasonings and parmesan cheese added to them<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Is it better to bake or sear meatballs?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Either works. Baking them is faster and will yield almost exactly the same crust as searing them in a pan does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why do you put milk in meatballs?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When the beef cooks, the protein shrinks and dries as the fat is rendered. Adding milk or eggs – sometimes both – adds extra moisture to prevent the meatballs from drying out.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Can you prepare meatballs ahead of time?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Absolutely. Mix and form the meatballs, then make them on the day you’re ready to serve them. Meatballs cooked in a sauce can be fully made ahead of time and then reheated when ready to serve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is the secret to good meatballs?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are 2 important things to remember when making your meatballs. First, always add milk and\/or egg to your meatballs for extra moisture. Secondly, do not overwork your meatballs. Compact meatballs become tough and chewy as they cook and shrink even further.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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How to Store and Reheat Homemade Italian Meatballs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Store these meatballs in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 3 months in an airtight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To reheat the meatballs, place them and the sauce in a saucepan over medium-low heat, cover, and cook until heated through. You can also place the meatballs and sauce in your slow cooker and cook on high until heated through.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Homemade Italian Meatballs Ingredients<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
It only takes a few simple ingredients to make this recipe. Most of them are probably in your kitchen right now, and the ones that aren’t are all easily found at your local grocery store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to Make Homemade Italian Meatballs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
It takes very little effort to make these tasty meatballs. A little forming, a short bake, and then a few hours in the slow cooker are all you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 1: Make the Meatballs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Combine all the meatballs ingredients in a large bowl. Then, gently roll them into small 1-inch diameter meatballs and place them on a baking sheet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 2: Bake<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Bake the meatballs for 15 minutes at 350 degrees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 3: Slow Cook<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Place the meatballs in a slow cooker. Then, add the spaghetti sauce, gently stir, and cook on high for 4 hours. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Try These Homemade Italian Meatballs Today<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
These delicious homemade Italian meatballs deliver maximum flavor with minimum effort. That’s the perfect combination if you ask me. They’re so simple, and they make great appetizers or main dishes, and they’re an especially great food to bring to potlucks. With this combination of ease, flavor, and versatility, I know you’re going to fall in love with this recipe. Give these a try!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Here are a Few More Delicious Appetizers You’ll Enjoy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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