If you know me at all, you know I love Italian food. And I truly mean I LOVE it. I kind of have a love affair with pasta. But this post is about meatballs. And this, my friend, is the only homemade meatball recipe you'll ever need.
Growing up, my mom would slow cook meatballs on the stove, in her homemade sauce, all day.
There's just nothing that beats that smell, guys.
I remember being SO excited when the big sauce pot would be on the stove in the morning. A shocker to no one - I was even a foodie as a kid.
As an adult, I still get excited about these meatballs.
There's nothing better than spending a day making homemade sauce, pasta, and meatballs - then sharing with the ones you love.
I've talked about this before - but I truly think showing love through food is a really special thing.
Homemade meatballs isn't one of the five love languages, but maybe it should be!
Enjoy the recipe below - let me know what you think in the comments! Mangia!
Homemade Meatball Recipe Ingredients
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup plain bread crumbs
- ½ cup grated parmesan
- ½ cup chopped Italian parsley
- 4 cups homemade or store bought pasta sauce
Directions
Mix orgegano, salt, and pepper in a bowl and set aside. In a very large mixing bowl, add ground beef and eggs. Mix extremely thoroughly. I usually put on plastic gloves then mix with my hands. Warning: this will be cold and your hands will be sore, but it will be WORTH IT! After a few minutes of mixing, add bread crumbs, seasoning, and parmesan and mix again. You really want everything to be mixed very well.
Roll meatballs into the size desired. I like BIG meatballs, so I usually roll them an inch and a half thick.
Once you're done rolling, simmer in homemade or your favorite store-bought sauce for at least two hours on low heat. I like to raise my sauce pot on the burner so it's away from the heat. Stir gently every 5 minutes at first, and then after 30 minutes, you can stir every 15 minutes.
The best thing about these meatballs is that since they're simmering on low in the sauce, you really can't over-cook them.
I love putting these in the pot a few hours before guests arrive. When dinner time rolls around, your house will smell incredible. Serving with pasta optional, but recommended. Deliciousness guaranteed.
Mangia!
The Only Homemade Meatball Recipe You'll Ever Need
Ingredients
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup plain bread crumbs
- ½ cup grated parmesan
- ½ cup chopped Italian parsley
- 4 cups homemade or store bought pasta sauce
Instructions
- Mix oregano, salt, and pepper in a bowl and set aside. In a very large mixing bowl, add ground beef and eggs. Mix extremely thoroughly. I usually put on plastic gloves then mix with my hands. Warning: this will be cold and your hands will be sore, but it will be WORTH IT! After a few minutes of mixing, add bread crumbs, seasoning, and parmesan and mix again. You really want everything to be mixed very well.
- Roll meatballs into the size desired. I like BIG meatballs, so I usually roll them an inch and a half thick.
- Once you're done rolling, simmer in homemade or your favorite store-bought sauce for at least two hours on low heat. I like to raise my sauce pot on the burner so it's away from the heat. Stir gently every 5 minutes at first, and then after 30 minutes, you can stir every 15 minutes.
- The best thing about these meatballs is that since they're simmering on low in the sauce, you really can't over-cook them.
- I love putting these in the pot two hours before guests arrive. When dinner time rolls around, your house will smell incredible. Serving with pasta optional, but recommended. Deliciousness guaranteed.
Did You Make This Recipe?
Leave a comment below or tag us @tasting.with.tina on Instagram!
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Tasting With Tina says
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Betty says
I want to try your meatball recipe but I need a good homemade sauce. Do you have one?
Tasting With Tina says
I don't have a homemade sauce recipe on my blog - but I normally keep it simple and saute minced onion and garlic, then add salt, pepper, basil, oregano, and crushed San Marzano tomatoes and let simmer for 30 minutes. It's simple and delicious and pairs perfectly with the meatballs!
Madison says
These were so delicious! I swapped 1 of the lbs of ground beef for a pound of hot italian sausage. So good and love that it made a decent amount of meatballs. We can eat this all week!
Christina Musgrave says
So happy you enjoyed! Yum, I bet the Italian sausage was great in the meatballs!