The Big Meatball
Meet "The Big Meatball," a show-stopping center-of-the-table dish perfect for family dinners or special occasions. This oversized, oven-baked meatball combines ground beef and pork with garlic, onions, grated Parmesan, and a touch of fresh parsley for a flavor-packed creation. Softened breadcrumbs keep it irresistibly moist, while a golden-brown crust forms thanks to a brush of olive oil. Finished with a drizzle of warm marinara sauce and baked to perfection, this colossal meatball is as satisfying as it is impressive. Easy to slice and serve, it pairs beautifully with spaghetti, crusty bread, or a simple side salad. Ready in just over an hour, this recipe transforms classic meatballs into a memorable, comforting centerpiece. Keywords: giant meatball recipe, oven-baked meatball, comfort food, family dinner ideas, marinara sauce recipes.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds ground beef
- 0.5 pounds ground pork
- 0.5 cups breadcrumbs
- 0.5 cups parmesan cheese, grated
- 0.25 cups milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 0.5 cups yellow onion, finely diced
- 0.25 cups parsley, chopped
- 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper, freshly ground
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups marinara sauce
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the breadcrumbs are softened.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, softened breadcrumb mixture, grated parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, diced onion, chopped parsley, kosher salt, and black pepper.
Using clean hands, mix the ingredients together until just combined. Avoid overmixing, as this can result in a dense meatball.
Lightly grease a baking dish or oven-safe skillet with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
Shape the meat mixture into one massive meatball and place it in the prepared dish. Pat it gently to form a smooth, even surface.
Brush the remaining olive oil over the surface of the meatball to help achieve a golden-brown crust during baking.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
While the meatball is baking, heat the marinara sauce in a saucepan over low heat.
After 30 minutes, remove the meatball from the oven and pour the warm marinara sauce over the top.
Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the meatball reaches 160°F (71°C).
Remove from the oven and let the meatball rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Serve sliced into wedges with extra marinara sauce on the side. Pair with spaghetti or crusty bread for a complete meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3119 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 224.8 g | 288% | |
| Saturated Fat | 81.9 g | 410% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 887 mg | 296% | |
| Sodium | 3732 mg | 162% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 73.6 g | 27% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 9.5 g | 34% | |
| Total Sugars | 20.8 g | ||
| Protein | 211.5 g | 423% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.7 mcg | 8% | |
| Calcium | 902 mg | 69% | |
| Iron | 21.2 mg | 118% | |
| Potassium | 2491 mg | 53% | |
*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.
