These Spicy Meatballs are a tasty mixture of hot Italian sausage, ground beef, red pepper flakes, and thyme. This is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a main course paired with pasta or as a fun party appetizer.
About the Recipe
These meatballs are going to become one of your favorite recipes. They are so tender and flavorful, and are perfect for nearly any occasion. Whether you're having a big party or just a cozy dinner with your family, you're going to love these.
The tender and juicy texture of these meatballs is established through the process of simmering them in a delicious tomato sauce which gives them that great flavor and texture. You will love how impressive, yet simple, this recipe is!
These meatballs have simple ingredients and you can easily find everything at your local grocery store. You can serve with pasta or even with a green salad for a simple summer dinner.
If you are looking for more spicy recipes, check out our: Spicy Cucumber Salad, Easy Spicy Sticky Glazed Asian Meatballs or Copycat Carbone Spicy Rigatoni.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Flavorful - The bold and spicy flavor profile from the combination of hot Italian sausage and lean ground beef that is seasoned with red pepper flakes, black pepper, and thyme is well loved and will have you making these on a regular basis.
- Simple - This recipe uses simple ingredients and only takes a few minutes to put together. While the meatballs simmer in the pasta sauce for about an hour, you have plenty of time to prepare the rest of dinner or visit with your dinner guests.
- Versatile - These homemade meatballs are delicious served over pasta, with crusty garlic bread, on a sub sandwich, as an appetizer, or over creamy mashed potatoes or rice. You have so many options with this recipe!
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need for this spicy Italian meatballs recipe:
- Italian sausage: Use hot Italian sausage.
- Ground beef: Lean ground beef is best for this recipe.
- Eggs
- Italian breadcrumbs
- Red pepper flakes: I love using high quality chili flakes or cayenne pepper in this recipe.
- Kosher salt & black pepper
- Thyme: You can substitute with fresh oregano or fresh basil.
- Pasta sauce: You can use store bought or homemade pasta sauce.
Directions
Let's make this great recipe together!
Step 1
In a large bowl, combine the Italian sausage, ground beef, eggs, breadcrumbs, red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper, and thyme. Using your hands, mix thoroughly for 4-5 minutes.
Step 2
Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
Step 3
In a large pot over medium-low heat, heat the sauce. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, add the meatballs and reduce the heat to low.
Step 4
Cook for at least 1 hour, stirring every 5-10 minutes, to ensure the meatballs don't stick. Cook until the internal temperature of the meatballs reaches 160°F.
Expert Tips and Tricks
Here are some expert tips to make this tender meatball recipe:
- Repurpose leftovers - You can get creative with leftovers. Try adding them to sandwiches, as toppings on pizza or add them to soups and stews
- Wear gloves - I recommend wearing kitchen gloves for mixing and rolling the meat mixture into meatballs.
- Use a thermometer - To ensure the meatballs are cooked thoroughly, use a thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the meatballs reaches 160°F.
- Make ahead - To save time, feel free to prepare the meatball mixture ahead of time and refrigerate it until you're ready to roll and cook the meatballs.
Kitchen Equipment
Here is some kitchen equipment you will need for this meatball recipe. You can find all of these products on Amazon.
- Large mixing bowl - I love these mixing bowls and use them daily in my kitchen. They are great for tossing salads, mixing ingredients, and even serving!
- Kitchen gloves - These kitchen gloves can be used for any messy recipes!
- Large pot - A quality large pot is important for any home cook! It's a go-to for making soups, pastas, and dishes for a crowd.
Recipe Substitutions/Variations
Here are some common recipe substitutions and variations for this spicy meatballs recipe.
- Ground beef - Substitute the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a bit of a lighter option. Or, use ground pork or ground lamb.
- Thyme - While the recipe calls for dried thyme, you could easily replace that with fresh thyme. Instead of 1 teaspoon of dried, I would replace it with 1 tablespoon of fresh.
- Red pepper flakes - Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control the spice level. Add more for extra heat or reduce for a milder flavor.
- Breadcrumbs - If you don't have Italian breadcrumbs, plain breadcrumbs or crushed crackers will work in their place.
- Additions - Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese or pecorino romano cheese over the meatballs before serving for extra flavor.
What To Serve With
Here are some recipes to serve alongside this favorite recipe:
Frequently Asked Questions
You could make the recipe as is and serve them as an appetizer or you could roll them into smaller bite sized meatballs. Serve them with toothpicks and the pasta sauce for dipping.
After rolling the meatball mixture into 1-inch balls, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Ensure they are not touching each other, then place the baking sheet in the freezer until the meatballs are frozen solid. Once frozen, transfer the frozen meatballs to a freezer bag or container, removing as much air as possible before sealing.
Allow the cooked meatballs to cool completely before transferring them to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Ensure they are arranged in a single layer to prevent them from sticking together. Seal the container or bag, removing excess air and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Cooking these meatballs in the pasta sauce is really what makes them so flavorful and moist. It's also super convenient and gives them great texture. If you would prefer not to use this method though, feel free to make the meatballs as the recipe says and then bake or fry them before adding them to the pasta sauce.
Recipe Storage and Reheating
Here are storage and reheating instructions for this perfect meatball recipe:
- Refrigerator Storage: Store in an airtight container and eat leftovers within 4-5 days.
- Freezer Storage: Freeze in a freezer-safe, airtight container and keep for up to 3 months. When you're ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator and reheat as instructed below.
- Reheating Instructions: The best way to reheat this recipe is to heat in a saucepan over low heat until warm.
Spicy Meatballs
Equipment
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Kitchen Gloves
- Large Pot
Ingredients
- 1 lb hot Italian Sausage
- 1 lb lean Ground Beef
- 3 eggs
- 1 ½ cup Italian bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 4 cups homemade or store bought pasta sauce
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, add hot Italian sausage, lean ground beef, eggs, bread crumbs, red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper, and thyme.
- Mix thoroughly for at least 4-5 minutes. I recommend wearing kitchen cloves for mixing.
- Roll mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
- Heat sauce in a large pot over medium-low heat. Bring to a gentle simmer. Add meatballs to the pot and reduce heat to low.
- Cook for at least 1 hour, stirring every 5-10 minutes to ensure the meatballs don't stick. Cook until the internal temperature of the meatballs reaches 160F.
Notes
Tips and Tricks
- Repurpose leftovers - You can get creative with leftovers. Try adding them to sandwiches, as toppings on pizza or add them to soups and stews
- Wear gloves - I recommend wearing kitchen gloves for mixing and rolling the meat mixture into meatballs.
- Use a thermometer - To ensure the meatballs are cooked thoroughly, use a thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the meatballs reaches 160°F.
- Make ahead - To save time, feel free to prepare the meatball mixture ahead of time and refrigerate it until you're ready to roll and cook the meatballs.
Did You Make This Recipe?
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