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Favorite Meatballs

By Lorraine

Super easy meatball recipe. Browned in a skillet or baked on the oven, they are soft, tender and delicious served with pasta or as a meatball sandwich.
We all have our very favorite meatball recipe. This is mine. 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. This is a recipe for our favorite meatballs. Super easy, browned in a skillet or baked on the oven, they are soft, tender and delicious served with pasta or as a meatball sandwich.
 

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Super easy meatball recipe. Browned in a skillet or baked on the oven, they are soft, tender and delicious served with pasta or as a meatball sandwich.

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 meatball recipes and liked lots of them. But, this is our favorite meatballs recipe.

 

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.

 

How to make these favorite meatballs

Do you ever wonder if you should wash fresh parsley before using?

Yes! To avoid getting sick from your herbs, wash them properly. Fresh herbs, like parsley  can contain dirt and other contaminants that can potentially expose you to harmful bacteria like salmonella and E. coli. Even if you are cooking the parsley, it is a good idea to wash them thoroughly before proceeding.  

How to wash parsley

Place the parsley in a colander and remove any damaged stems or leaves. Use a kitchen sink sprayer to wash all of it thoroughly in a clean sink under clean, running water. You can swish the parsley in a large bowl of water, dumping and repeating several times. When the parsley is thoroughly clean, dry it on a kitchen towel or spin in a salad spinner.

 

How to make favorite beef meatballsChop the fresh parsley until it measures 2 tablespoons.

 

Soaking bread for favorite meatballsCut or tear 4 slices of bread into small pieces and add to a large bowl. You can use fresh or day old bread. I do not remove the ends but you can if you prefer. Pour a 1/2 cup water over the bread and allow to soak for a few minutes. 

 

Adding eggs to the bread for favorite meatballsAdd 2 eggs to the bread mixture and stir until combined and mushy 😉

 

Adding Parmesan Cheese to ground beef mixture for favorite meatballsAdd the ground beef , 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, the 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of dried oregano, crushed and a dash of pepper (about 1/4 teaspoon).

 

Using your clean hands or a large fork, lightly but thoroughly toss until everything is evenly combined.

Shaping the meatballs

 

Favorite ground beef meatballs using scoopShape the meat mixture into balls. I like to use a small scoop – it is quick, easy and less messy and the meatballs are uniform in size. You can form the meatballs with your hands too. To make it less messy, wet your hands with a little cold water.

Cooking the meatballs

You can cook the meatballs either by browning in a skillet or baking in the oven. They pretty much come out the same. The fried meatballs might be browned a bit more on the outside if that is important to you. Baking is less messy but it is completely up to you. 

 

Shaped ground beef favorite meatballs ready for cookingIn this post I am baking the meatballs. Just place the shaped meatballs onto a silicone or foil covered baking pan allowing a little space between each meatball.

 

 

Oven baked favorite ground beef meatballsPlace the pan of meatballs in a preheated 400 degree oven for 15-20 minutes, depending on the size of your meatballs.

 

Oven baked favorite ground beef meatballsI like using silicone mats because nothing sticks to them!

 

Adding ground beef favorite meatballs to tomato sauce to simmerThe meatballs are fully cooked and can be used with a variety of sauces. I like to simmer them gently in tomato sauce and serve over spaghetti. I always plan for leftovers because we love meatball sandwiches on soft hoagie rolls. Yum! Two meals cooking just once.

 

How to freeze favorite meatballsThe meatballs also freeze really well. Just place the desired amount of completely cooled meatballs into freezer-safe plastic bags, label and freeze for another day. I don’t have a problem with them sticking together, but you can place the meatballs onto a baking sheet and freeze for a couple of hours and then add them to freezer-safe bags. 

 

 

Super easy meatball recipe. Browned in a skillet or baked on the oven, they are soft, tender and delicious served with pasta or as a meatball sandwich.
Having meatballs in the freezer is so nice when you want to make just a serving or two. You can simple allow the meatballs to thaw in the fridge or thaw in the microwave (being careful not to over cook) Add the meatballs to your favorite sauce and simmer until hot and bubbly. 
 

 


Use your favorite jarred sauce or follow the  link below for a very easy and delicious tomato sauce with a bright, fresh flavor. 

Meatball tips

  • I especially like to use potato bread because it makes them delicious.
  • Roll each meatball lightly so they are soft and tender and break easily with a fork.
  • I use a rounded coffee measure or a small ice-cream scoop to form the the mixture into balls without any rolling. I sometimes get a flat side to the meatball but they stay nice and soft. You can go ahead and shape them gently with your hands if you prefer.

Cooking the meatballs

 
The meatballs are best when browned in a pan before adding to the sauce to simmer.
But, they are still delicious when baked on a foil lined pan, in the over at 400 degrees for 15 minutes.
 

Make ahead

For a great in-a-hurry meal, make a batch and freeze in zip-top bag.
Thaw, simmer in your favorite sauce while cooking pasta and you have dinner fast!
 
For double duty, make a double batch and serve the next night on rolls for a delicious Meatball Sandwich/Sub. Two meals from one recipe! 

 

 
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Favorite Meatballs

source: Betty Crocker Cook Book
 
PRINT RECIPE

Makes 24 small-ish meatballs. 5 meatballs is a nice serving so this recipe makes about 4 servings. The recipe is easily doubled.

Ingredients:

  • 4 slices of bread
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 lb (85%) ground beef
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. pepper
  • 1/4 tsp oregano

DIRECTIONS

Soak the 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 of pepper.

 
With a small ice cream scoop or with wet hands, form the meat mixture into small balls (about 24).  Brown the meatballs slowly in 2 tablespoons hot oil or place on a silicone or foil-covered baking sheet baking at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes.  Add meatballs to your favorite sauce, simmer gently, loosely covered for 15-30 minutes.
 
NOTE: keep at a gentle simmer and do not cook too long or the meatballs will not remain light and tender.
 
 
You might also like…
Marcella Hazan’s Tomato SauceMarcella Hazan Tomato Sauce pasta is easy-on-the-cook and delicious. Make for a lovely date night meal.
 

Red Velvet Marbled CakeFrom scratch recipe for a moist red velvet marbled cake made in a Bundt pan has a lovely icing just right for Valentine's Day or celebrating a birthday.

 

Slow Cooker Tomato Pasta Sauce

A delicious slow cooker tomato pasta sauce is perfect for those busy days and you still need a meal to feed the hungry. Ladle over your favorite pasta.

 

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Super easy meatball recipe. Browned in a skillet or baked on the oven, they are soft, tender and delicious served with pasta or as a meatball sandwich.
 

 

   

Filed Under: Beef, Main Dishes, Recipes

Comments

  1. Vivienne says

    March 28, 2011 at 8:34 am

    looks delish! i don't have a favourite meatball recipe yet so i might steal your one for now 🙂

    Reply
  2. Flourchild says

    March 27, 2011 at 9:49 pm

    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!

    Reply
  3. Donna Heber says

    March 27, 2011 at 12:37 pm

    Oh, this looks wonderful! Thank you for sharing the recipe with us.

    Reply
  4. Suzy says

    March 27, 2011 at 3:45 am

    I'm going to try this recipe and use your oven method!

    Reply
  5. NanaDiana says

    March 26, 2011 at 11:54 pm

    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

    Reply
  6. Life In a Little House says

    March 26, 2011 at 3:33 pm

    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

    Reply
  7. Ann says

    March 26, 2011 at 11:09 am

    Boy does that ever look good. I love meatballs. Not only are they delicious but easy to make and very versatile.

    Reply
  8. Tink's Spin says

    March 26, 2011 at 5:40 am

    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. 🙂

    Reply
  9. Sue says

    March 26, 2011 at 2:47 am

    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

    Reply
  10. Mary Lou says

    March 26, 2011 at 12:12 am

    How doI gracefully admit that I've never made meatballs!
    Now that I have a recipe, I can and will. Thank you!

    Reply
  11. Beth says

    March 26, 2011 at 12:20 am

    Meatballs are such a basic, but your photo really makes them shine. Lovely!

    Reply
  12. Lady Farmer says

    March 25, 2011 at 10:17 pm

    They sound fabulous! I will try mine with soaked bread next time!
    Blessings!

    Reply
  13. moreofhim says

    March 25, 2011 at 9:04 pm

    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

    Reply
  14. Mildred says

    March 25, 2011 at 9:42 pm

    We are on our way!!!

    Reply
  15. Carol @ There's Always Thyme to Cook says

    March 25, 2011 at 6:53 pm

    They look fantastic, now you gave me a craving! I do the same, soaked bread instead of breadcrumbs, much moister!

    Reply
  16. Keri On says

    March 25, 2011 at 7:39 pm

    Scrumptious!

    Reply
  17. Gloria (The Little Red House with the White Porch) says

    March 25, 2011 at 7:10 pm

    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

    Reply

Trackbacks

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    […] removing the onion. Continue simmering until everything is piping hot. You can make a batch of my very favorite homemade meatballs, but the goal here is easy on the cook […]

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Hi! I'm Lorraine. Welcome to Grateful Prayer Thankful Heart. A place to find food for your tummy, projects for your hands, and encouragement for your heart.

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