**A Culinary Journey into Meatball Delights: Exploring Classic Recipes and Flavorful Variations**
Meatballs, a timeless culinary creation, have captivated taste buds across cultures and generations. These savory spheres of ground meat, seasoned to perfection and cooked to tender juiciness, offer a versatile culinary canvas for a multitude of recipes. In this comprehensive guide, we present a delectable collection of classic meatball recipes, ranging from the traditional Italian polpette to innovative fusion creations. Embark on a culinary adventure as we explore the diverse world of meatballs, uncovering the secrets to creating perfect orbs of flavor. From simple pan-fried meatballs to hearty slow-cooked stews, this culinary journey promises to tantalize your taste buds and inspire your inner chef.
CLASSIC MEATBALLS
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 1h20m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Heat the olive oil and sliced garlic in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring, until the garlic is lightly golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes, 1 teaspoon salt, a few grinds of pepper and 2 teaspoons oregano. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly, 15 to 18 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the meatballs: Combine the beef, parmesan, breadcrumbs, parsley, milk, eggs, grated garlic, 2 teaspoons salt, a few grinds of pepper and the remaining 1 teaspoon oregano in a large bowl. Mix well with your hands. Form into thirty 1 1/2-inch meatballs and divide between 2 baking sheets. Bake until firm and lightly browned, 12 to 15 minutes.
- Carefully remove the meatballs with a spatula and drain briefly on paper towels, then transfer to the sauce. Simmer until tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
- Transfer the meatballs and sauce to a slow cooker and keep on warm.
CLASSIC MEATBALLS
This homemade meatball recipe is a Betty classic, and for great reason! For generations, home cooks have relied on this hearty meatball recipe to show some skills the kitchen. All it takes to achieve this meaty main dish is eight basic ingredients. Got them? Great! Now, if you have 15 minutes to spare and a foil-lined 13x9 pan, perfectly browned and tender meatballs could be the answer to tonight's dinner jam. Yes, delicious doesn't take long! In the meantime, prepare spaghetti or rice, veggies or salad, because this recipe goes with anything!
Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 40m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Heat oven to 400°F. Line 13x9-inch pan with foil; spray with cooking spray.
- In large bowl, mix all ingredients. Shape mixture into 24 (1 1/2-inch) meatballs. Place 1 inch apart in pan.
- Bake uncovered 18 to 22 minutes or until temperature reaches 160°F and no longer pink in center.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 280, Carbohydrate 13 g, Cholesterol 125 mg, Fiber 1 g, Protein 24 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 480 mg, Sugar 3 g, TransFat 1 g
THE BEST MEATBALLS
I never knew how to make good meatballs until I found this recipe. I normally make mine with just ground beef and they still taste great. I've used the combination of pork, beef and veal and they are equally good. Definitely use fresh bread crumbs and freshly grate your cheese instead of using the canned variety...it really does make a difference.
Provided by Geanine
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 50m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Combine beef, veal, and pork in a large bowl. Add garlic, eggs, cheese, parsley, salt and pepper.
- Blend bread crumbs into meat mixture. Slowly add the water 1/2 cup at a time. The mixture should be very moist but still hold its shape if rolled into meatballs. (I usually use about 1 1/4 cups of water). Shape into meatballs.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Fry meatballs in batches. When the meatball is very brown and slightly crisp remove from the heat and drain on a paper towel. (If your mixture is too wet, cover the meatballs while they are cooking so that they hold their shape better.)
Nutrition Facts : Calories 613.4 calories, Carbohydrate 6.6 g, Cholesterol 148.6 mg, Fat 53.2 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 26.6 g, SaturatedFat 15 g, Sodium 333.1 mg, Sugar 0.3 g
EXCELLENT CLASSIC MEATBALLS
These are the best meatballs I've ever tasted!! Add them to a simmering pot of sauce, have meatball subs or, as one blog suggested, serve them on top of polenta for a surprisingly tasty entree. The sauteed onions and garlic make this recipe special, but you can vary the meats or the size of the meatballs to suit your tastes. From chef Anne Burrell, Mario Batali's long time sous chef on Iron Chef America, who mixes crazy personality with excellent techniques. The recipe came with one for marinara sauce, but there are so many good ones posted here I didn't include it.
Provided by ninja
Categories Pork
Time 1h23m
Yield 18-20 golfball-sized meatballs
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Coat a large saute pan with olive oil, add the onions and bring to a medium-high heat. Season the onions generously with Kosher salt and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes. The onions should be very soft and aromatic but have no color. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper and saute for another 1 to 2 minutes. Turn off heat and allow to cool.
- In a large bowl combine the meats, eggs, Parmigiano, parsley and bread crumbs. It works well to squish the mixture with your hands. Add the cooled onion mixture, season generously with Kosher salt and squish some more. Add the water and do 1 final really good squish. The mixture should be quite wet.
- Test the seasoning of the mix by making a mini hamburger size patty and cooking it. The mixture should taste really good! If it doesn't, it is probably missing salt. Add more. Add more anyway.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Shape the meat into desired size. Some people like 'em big; some people like 'em small. I prefer meatballs slightly larger than a golf ball. Coat a large saute pan with olive oil and bring to a medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides.
- Place them on a cookie sheet and bake them in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked all the way through. If using right away, add them to a big pot of marinara sauce. If not using right away, they can be frozen for later use. Serve with pasta and sauce or just eat them straight out of the pot! YUM!
CLASSIC BEEF MEATBALLS
Here they are-the top sellers at The Shop and sure to be a big hit at home. Most traditional meatball recipes call for Parmesan or pecorino cheese. While we're big fans of these stronger cheeses, we prefer ricotta. It's our secret weapon. The mild and creamy consistency of this fresh cheese gives the meatballs a unique light texture. Beef has a subtle flavor, and the ricotta is a great way to add fat and moisture to the recipe without the overpowering flavor of a sharper cheese. These are quick to prep, and baking rather than frying makes this a fast comfort food even during the busiest of weeks.
Provided by Daniel Holzman
Categories Cheese Egg Tomato Bake Super Bowl Father's Day Dinner Ground Beef Family Reunion Poker/Game Night Party Breadcrumbs Sugar Conscious Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free
Yield Makes about 2 dozen 1 1/2-inch balls
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 450°F. Drizzle the olive oil into a 9×13-inch baking dish and use your hand to evenly coat the entire surface. Set aside.
- Combine the ground beef, ricotta, eggs, bread crumbs, parsley, oregano, salt, red pepper flakes, and fennel in a large mixing bowl and mix by hand until thoroughly incorporated.
- Roll the mixture into round, golf ball-size meatballs (about 1 1/2 inches), making sure to pack the meat firmly. Place the balls in the prepared baking dish, being careful to line them up snugly and in even rows vertically and horizontally to form a grid. The meatballs should be touching one another.
- Roast for 20 minutes, or until the meatballs are firm and cooked through. A meat thermometer inserted into the center of a meatball should read 165°F.
- While the meatballs are roasting, heat the tomato sauce in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring often.
- When the meatballs are firm and fully cooked, remove them from the oven and drain the excess grease from the pan. Pour the tomato sauce over them. Return the meatballs to the oven and continue roasting for another 15 minutes.
CLASSIC SWEDISH MEATBALLS
I'm a "Svenska flicka" (Swedish girl) from northwest Iowa, where many Swedes settled at the turn of the century. This recipe was given to me by a Swedish friend. It's obviously a 20th century version of a 19th century favorite, since back then they didn't have bouillon cubes or evaporated milk! I think you'll agree that these modern-day "Kottbullar" are very tasty. -Emily Gould, Hawarden, Iowa
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Appetizers
Time 35m
Yield 3-1/2 dozen.
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Combine 2/3 cup evaporated milk with the next 5 ingredients. Add beef; mix lightly. Refrigerate until chilled., With wet hands, shape meat mixture into 1-in. balls. In a large skillet, heat butter over medium heat. Brown meatballs in batches. Dissolve bouillon in boiling water. Pour over meatballs; bring to a boil. Cover; simmer 15 minutes. , Meanwhile, stir together cold water and flour. Remove meatballs from skillet; skim fat, reserving juices. Add flour mixture and remaining evaporated milk to pan juices; cook, uncovered, over low heat, stirring until sauce thickens. , Return meatballs to skillet. Stir in lemon juice. If desired, top with lingonberries.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 36 calories, Fat 2g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 10mg cholesterol, Sodium 87mg sodium, Carbohydrate 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 3g protein.
CHEF JOHN'S ITALIAN MEATBALLS
Homemade meatballs are a very easy to make, and since we skip the very messy step of pan-frying these before they hit the sauce, it becomes downright simple. Here I use a standard half-beef/half-pork mixture. You can substitute water or beef broth for the milk, if preferred.
Provided by Chef John
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 2h15m
Yield 30
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Cover a baking sheet with foil and spray lightly with cooking spray.
- Soak bread crumbs in milk in a small bowl for 20 minutes.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onions in hot oil until translucent, about 20 minutes.
- Mix beef and pork together in a large bowl. Stir onions, bread crumb mixture, eggs, parsley, garlic, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, Italian herb seasoning, and Parmesan cheese into meat mixture with a rubber spatula until combined. Cover and refrigerate for about one hour.
- Preheat an oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
- Using wet hands, form meat mixture into balls about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Arrange onto prepared baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven until browned and cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 81.9 calories, Carbohydrate 1.7 g, Cholesterol 32.3 mg, Fat 5.5 g, Fiber 0.2 g, Protein 6.2 g, SaturatedFat 1.9 g, Sodium 192.1 mg, Sugar 0.5 g
Tips:
- Choose the right meat: A combination of beef and pork is a classic choice for meatballs, as it provides a balance of flavor and texture. However, you can also use all beef, all pork, or a mixture of other meats, such as lamb, venison, or turkey.
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients: The better the quality of your ingredients, the better your meatballs will taste. Look for fresh, lean ground meat, and use good-quality bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and eggs.
- Season the meatballs well: Don't be afraid to use plenty of herbs and spices in your meatballs. Common seasonings include garlic, onion, parsley, oregano, basil, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Mix the meatballs gently: Overmixing the meatballs will make them tough. Mix the ingredients just until they are combined.
- Form the meatballs into uniform size: This will help them cook evenly. Use a small cookie scoop or your hands to form the meatballs.
- Brown the meatballs before simmering them: This will give them a nice crust and help to keep them moist.
- Use a good quality tomato sauce: The tomato sauce is an important part of the meatballs, so make sure you use a good quality sauce that you enjoy the taste of.
- Simmer the meatballs for at least 30 minutes: This will help to tenderize the meatballs and allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve the meatballs with your favorite sides: Meatballs can be served with a variety of sides, such as spaghetti, mashed potatoes, or rice.
Conclusion:
Meatballs are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are perfect for a weeknight meal, a party appetizer, or a special occasion dinner. With a little planning and effort, you can make delicious meatballs that will impress your family and friends.
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
#time-to-make #course #main-ingredient #cuisine #preparation #occasion #main-dish #beef #pork #european #dinner-party #italian #comfort-food #ground-beef #meat #taste-mood #savory #presentation #served-hot #4-hours-or-less
You'll also love