Without having Italian family heritage and no one to teach me or share a recipe I had to find a meatball recipe that we loved.
In over 40 years of marriage, raising four daughters and now with 13 grandchildren, it is important for me to have a great go-to recipe. I have tried many and liked lots of them. But, this one is our favorite.
What I love best about these meatballs is that they are soft and tender. Instead of breadcrumbs to help bind the meatballs together, bread is softened with a little water and egg.
They can be browned in a skillet by frying but I usually bake them because it goes so fast and is less messy.
After cooking the meatballs, I toss them into a pot of sauce. I have a favorite jarred sauce but I also make (and freeze) this homemade recipe.
After simmering just a little more, everything is ready to serve with pasta or make sandwiches.
Follow this link for sauce recipe
This recipe is from my old Betty Crocker’s Cookbook.
Ingredients:
4 slices bread
1/2 cup water
2 eggs
1 lb (85%) ground beef
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
2 Tbs parsley, snipped
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp oregano
dash pepper
Soak 4 bread slices in 1/2 cup water 2 to 3 minutes; add 2 eggs and mix well. Mix with 1 pound ground beef (I use 85%), 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons snipped parsley, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed, and a dash pepper.
NOTE: keep at a gentle simmer and do not cook too long or the meatballs will not remain light and tender.
Makes 24 meatballs
They look fantastic, now you gave me a craving! I do the same, soaked bread instead of breadcrumbs, much moister!
Greetings! I do mine with bread too! That's because that's how my mother did it. 🙂 Yours in the photo look so delicious, I wish I had some right now!
Best,
Gloria
Scrumptious!
Oh, those sound so delicious! I think that's whats wrong with my meatballs-they don't stay soft! I'm sure the soaked bread helps to make these nice and moist, too. Thank you for sharing-I have the Betty Crocker Cookbook (since I've been married) and will use this recipe next time I make spaghetti!
God bless you – Julie
We are on our way!!!
They sound fabulous! I will try mine with soaked bread next time!
Blessings!
How doI gracefully admit that I've never made meatballs!
Now that I have a recipe, I can and will. Thank you!
Meatballs are such a basic, but your photo really makes them shine. Lovely!
These look so yummy, I have a grandson that would really love these as he could eat meatballs every day, well almost everyday. LOL.
Thank you for sharing.
Sue
I love this recipe, I am not a meat eater raely do I ever eat meat and I don't remember when I had meatballs, but the next time I cook for company I am making this, it looks yummy. maybe I won't wait for company. Is there such a thing as veggie meatballs, I wonder:)I am going to use this as one of my favorite recipe of the week , with a link. 🙂
Boy does that ever look good. I love meatballs. Not only are they delicious but easy to make and very versatile.
Oh that is one yummy looking picture wow!! thanks for sharing your recipe It is very close to my recipe only I do a gluten free version ~Wishing you a wonderful weekend ~Love Heather
Lorraine- You and me,baby. I have been using that SAME recipe for years. It makes the best meatballs ever. We like the texture of them too!! xxoo Diana
I'm going to try this recipe and use your oven method!
Oh, this looks wonderful! Thank you for sharing the recipe with us.
Hi I soak my bread in milk. Just made 125 meatballs for my MIL's 70th b-day party this past weekend!
Not sure if the milk adds flavor – I'll try water the next time.
Enjoy your week!
Leann
Leann, the meatballs look very yummy! I love the close up shot of them with the noodles! I have never made homemade meatballs before. This recipe will be a good start! Thanks for sharing!
looks delish! i don't have a favourite meatball recipe yet so i might steal your one for now 🙂
These sound wonderful gal! We usually just put the meat in the sauce! I haven't made my own meatballs in a long time! Might have to give it a whirl!!
Have a delightful week!
HUGS,
Becky