Best 3 Meatballs A La Pizzaiola Recipes

MEATBALLS A LA PIZZAIOLA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Dice the smoked mozzarella into 1/2-inch cubes. Set aside. In a food processor, pulse the shallots, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, shredded mozzarella, parmesan, tomato paste, red pepper flakes, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper until blended. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Add the beef and pork and, using a wooden spoon or clean hands, stir until combined. Form into 1 1/4-to-1 1/2-inch meatballs. Insert 1 cube smoked mozzarella into the center of each meatball and form the meat around it, enclosing the cheese. In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, pour equal parts olive oil and vegetable oil to fill the pan halfway. Heat over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer reaches 350 degrees F. In batches, fry the meatballs until dark brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Place the fried meatballs on a foil-lined baking sheet. Put in the oven and bake until cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool slightly, then serve immediately with marinara sauce, if desired.
• Photograph by Joseph DeLeo

GIADA DE LAURENTIIS' MEATBALLS A LA PIZZAIOLA

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Dice the smoked mozzarella into 1/2-inch cubes. Set side.
• 2. In a food processor, pulse the shallots, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, shredded mozzarella, parmesan cheese, tomato paste, red pepper flakes, 1 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper until blended. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Add the beef and pork and, using a wooden spoon or clean hands, stir until combined. Form into 1 1/4-to-1 1/2 inch meatballs. Insert 1 cube of smoked mozzarella into the center of each meatball and form meat around it, enclosing the cheese.
• 3. In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, pour equal parts olive oil and vegetable oil to fill the pan halfway. Heat over medium-high heat until deep-fry thermometer reaches 350 degrees. In batches, fry the meatballs until dark brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
• 4. Place the fried meatballs on a foil-lined baking sheet. Put in the oven and bake until cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool slightly, then serve immediately with marinara sauce, if desired.

PIZZA MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a flat baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl add ground beef, onion powder, egg, panko crumbs, garlic, Worcestershire, salt, pepper, couple dashes of Italian seasoning. Mix thoroughly. Shape into 1-inch balls. Push in to the mixture a cube of cheese. Reshape the meatball. Place on lined baking sheet. Do this until all of the meatballs have been formed. Bake in the oven until browned, about 15 to 20 minutes. If the cheese cube that was used is too big it will melt out of the meatball.
• In a slow cooker, on medium heat add the tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, Italian seasonings (to taste) onion, and garlic. Keep hot while the meatballs cook. Add the meatballs once they are done cooking. Serve with toothpicks. The sauce can be heated on stove top.