Gramps Italian Meatballs
Step into the heart of Italian comfort food with Gramps Italian Meatballs, a family recipe that's been passed down for generations. These tender, flavor-packed meatballs combine a perfect blend of ground beef and pork, with Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and a hint of garlic for an authentic taste. Gently bound with breadcrumbs and a splash of milk, these meatballs boast a perfectly moist texture that holds its shape without being dense. Pan-seared to golden perfection and optionally simmered in marinara sauce, they make a versatile dish—serve them over hearty pasta, stuffed into a toasted sub roll, or as a crowd-pleasing appetizer. With just 20 minutes of prep time and classic Italian spices like oregano and black pepper, this recipe will transport your taste buds straight to a rustic Italian kitchen. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special gatherings, Gramps Italian Meatballs are the ultimate comfort food for every occasion.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground beef (80% lean)
- 0.5 lb Ground pork
- 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs
- 0.5 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large Egg
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tsp Dried oregano
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 0.25 cup Milk
- 2 tbsp Olive oil (for frying)
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
Gradually add the milk to the mixture while blending everything together by hand until the mixture is moist but holds its shape. Be careful not to overmix.
Form the meat mixture into balls about 1.5 inches in diameter, gently rolling them between your palms. This should yield around 16-18 meatballs.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the meatballs in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan.
Cook the meatballs for 2-3 minutes on each side, until they are browned all over. You may need to do this in batches if your skillet is not large enough.
Once browned, remove the meatballs and set them aside on a plate. If desired, add them to a simmering marinara sauce to finish cooking for an additional 10-12 minutes.
Serve the meatballs warm with your favorite pasta, on a sub roll with melted mozzarella, or as an appetizer with toothpicks and marinara sauce.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
615 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 46.6 g | 60% | |
| Saturated Fat | 16.9 g | 84% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 174 mg | 58% | |
| Sodium | 885 mg | 38% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 11.9 g | 4% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.7 g | 3% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.9 g | ||
| Protein | 37.0 g | 74% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.6 mcg | 3% | |
| Calcium | 170 mg | 13% | |
| Iron | 3.0 mg | 17% | |
| Potassium | 497 mg | 11% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
