Italian Meatballs in a Basket
Turn your dinner into a show-stopping centerpiece with this recipe for *Italian Meatballs in a Basket*! Juicy, flavor-packed meatballs made with a perfect blend of ground beef, Italian sausage, Parmesan, and fresh herbs are simmered in rich marinara sauce and elegantly served inside crispy, golden Parmesan baskets. This creative presentation transforms a hearty Italian classic into a sophisticated dish that's as beautiful as it is delicious. With just a handful of simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, you’ll create an impressively gourmet meal that’s perfect for entertaining or elevating your everyday dinner table. Garnished with fresh basil, each basket is a savory masterpiece that delivers irresistible textures and flavors in every bite. Perfect for family dinners, romantic meals, or dinner parties—this recipe combines comfort food with an unforgettable twist.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 500 g Ground beef
- 250 g Italian sausage
- 75 g Breadcrumbs
- 50 g Grated Parmesan cheese (for meatballs)
- 60 ml Milk
- 1 large Egg
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 15 g Fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 500 ml Marinara sauce
- 200 g Grated Parmesan cheese (for baskets)
- 10 g Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, Italian sausage, breadcrumbs, 50g of grated Parmesan, milk, egg, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper.
Mix the ingredients thoroughly with your hands until evenly combined, being careful not to overwork the mixture.
Shape the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs (about 20-24 meatballs).
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches and sear them until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes per batch. Remove and set aside.
In the same skillet, pour the marinara sauce and bring it to a simmer. Return the seared meatballs to the skillet, cover, and cook on low heat for 20 minutes, occasionally spooning the sauce over the meatballs.
While the meatballs are cooking, prepare the Parmesan baskets: Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Place small piles (about 50g each) of grated Parmesan cheese on the parchment, spreading each into a roughly 10cm (4-inch) circle.
Bake the Parmesan circles in the preheated oven for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the edges are golden brown.
Remove the tray from the oven and let the Parmesan circles cool for 30 seconds. Carefully lift each circle with a spatula and drape it over an inverted small bowl or glass to form a basket shape. Allow to cool completely and harden.
To assemble, place a Parmesan basket on each plate. Add 4-5 meatballs and spoon marinara sauce over the top.
Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3625 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 253.3 g | 325% | |
| Saturated Fat | 106.2 g | 531% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 15.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 918 mg | 306% | |
| Sodium | 10122 mg | 440% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 96.8 g | 35% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 7.8 g | 28% | |
| Total Sugars | 22.4 g | ||
| Protein | 235.7 g | 471% | |
| Vitamin D | 5.6 mcg | 28% | |
| Calcium | 3222 mg | 248% | |
| Iron | 19.6 mg | 109% | |
| Potassium | 2550 mg | 54% | |
*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.
