Best 4 Nonnas Old Country Italian Meatballs Recipes

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In the realm of culinary delights, few dishes evoke a sense of warmth and comfort quite like Nonna's Old Country Italian Meatballs. These succulent orbs of seasoned ground beef, delicately simmered in a rich and flavorful tomato sauce, are a testament to the culinary heritage of Italy. Each bite is a journey through time, transporting you to the heart of the Italian countryside, where traditional recipes are passed down from generation to generation. Our comprehensive guide presents a collection of Nonna's most cherished meatball recipes, each with its unique twist on this classic dish. From the classic Italian Meatballs, bursting with savory herbs and spices, to the tangy Italian Meatballs in Marinara Sauce, and the hearty Italian Meatballs with Creamy Polenta, this culinary adventure promises an unforgettable experience for food enthusiasts and home cooks alike.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

NONNA'S ITALIAN MEATBALLS



Nonna's Italian Meatballs image

Nonna's Italian meatballs are my go to meatball recipe. It yields tender, juicy results that are full of amazing flavor. Your family will beg for these with spaghetti or in sandwiches!

Provided by Meaghan @ 4 Sons R Us

Categories     Appetizer     Dinner     Main Course

Time 55m

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 lb lean ground beef
1 lb ground pork
1/2-3/4 cup bread crumbs
scant 1/2 cup low sodium beef broth (can substitute milk)
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 medium white onion (minced)
2 eggs
4 cloves garlic (pressed)
salt & pepper (to taste)
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 tsp Italian seasoning
2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Steps:

  • Prepare a large baking sheet by covering it in tinfoil. This will make cleanup a breeze. Lightly spray it with non stick cooking spray, and set aside.
  • Add the bread crumbs and broth to a small bowl, stir, and let them sit for 10-15 minutes. Just until they've soaked up the liquid.
  • Add the olive oil to a large skillet, and heat over medium high heat. Add the onions, tossing them to coat, and cook until the onions are soft and have become translucent.
  • To a large mixing bowl add the meats, onions (once cool enough to touch), prepared bread crumbs, eggs, garlic, salt & pepper, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, and cheese (if using).
  • Just like with a meatloaf, use your hands and mix everything up until evenly mixed throughout. This may take anywhere from 2-5 minutes, but make sure everything's evenly incorporated.
  • Continue using your hands to form the meat mixture into meatballs, each approximately 1 1/2". Place them evenly out onto the prepared baking sheet until all the meat mixture's been used.
  • Bake the meatballs at 425 degrees for 15-20 minutes, or until all the meatballs have cooked through and there's no pink left in the center.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 84 kcal, Carbohydrate 2 g, Protein 7 g, Fat 5 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Cholesterol 31 mg, Sodium 49 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g, ServingSize 1 serving

NONNA'S TRADITIONAL MEATBALLS



Nonna's Traditional Meatballs image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 2h15m

Yield about 25 meatballs

Number Of Ingredients 19

1 pound ground beef chuck
1 pound ground pork
1 1/4 cups milk
3 eggs, lightly beaten
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup fresh basil
1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 teaspoon cayenne
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup dried breadcrumbs
1/2 to 3/4 cup grated Romano cheese
Roasted Tomato Sauce, recipe follows
15 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
6 oil-packed anchovy fillets
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Two 28-ounce cans whole peeled tomatoes, with their juices
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Combine the ground beef and ground pork in a large bowl. Set aside.
  • In a food processor, combine the milk, eggs, garlic, basil, parsley, cayenne and salt. Process until pureed.
  • Add the wet ingredients to the meat and mix to combine. Then add breadcrumbs and Romano, and gently combine; be careful not to overwork the meat.
  • With the help of an ice cream scoop (for even sizing), shape the mixture into 2-ounce meatballs and place on a baking sheet.
  • Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake the meatballs for 30 minutes.
  • Add the meatballs to the Roasted Tomato Sauce and simmer for another 30 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
  • In a deep lasagna pan, add the garlic, anchovies, olive oil, red pepper flakes and salt. Place the pan on the stovetop and saute for 5 to 7 minutes to soften. Remove from the heat and add the canned tomatoes and oregano; mix well.
  • Transfer the pan to the oven and roast until the tomatoes are nicely charred on top, 45 minutes. Let cool, then blend to your liking with an immersion blender; we like our sauce a bit chunky, but feel free to puree if you choose.

NONNA'S SAUCE AND MEATBALLS



Nonna's Sauce and Meatballs image

Provided by Food Network

Time 11h10m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 19

1 pound ground pork
1 pound ground beef
4 cloves garlic, chopped fine
7 eggs
1 cup dried breadcrumbs
1 cup grated Parmesan
1 tablespoon dried parsley
The Saucee Sicilian Meat Sauce, recipe follows
1 beef short rib (see Cook's Note)
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
3 garlic cloves, chopped fine
1 small yellow onion, chopped
One 8-ounce can tomato paste
One 8-ounce can tomato sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon coarse ground pepper
1 bay leaf

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Mix pork and beef in a bowl with your hands, then add garlic. Beat eggs and add to mixture. Add breadcrumbs, cheese and parsley and mix well. Scoop into meatballs and bake on a baking sheet for 30 minutes.
  • Simmer meatballs in Meat Sauce for 2 hours.
  • Brown beef short rib in olive oil in a saucepan on all sides until browned, about 2 minutes each side. Add garlic and onions and brown over low heat until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add tomato paste plus 1 paste can water, then the tomato sauce plus 1 sauce can water, and stir until blended. Add pepper flakes, sugar, salt, pepper and bay leaf and bring to bubbling. Turn temperature to low and simmer, covered, for 8 hours. Remove beef short rib and bay leaf before serving.

NONNA’S OLD COUNTRY ITALIAN MEATBALLS



NONNA’S OLD COUNTRY ITALIAN MEATBALLS image

Categories     Beef

Yield Yields 16-20 meatbal

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 lbs. ground beef
1 lb. ground pork
1 lb. ground veal
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup flat leaf Italian parsley, chopped
1 cup grated Romano Pecorino cheese
1 tablespoon black pepper
1-1/2 tablespoons salt
5 cloves garlic, minced fine
1 cup day-old Italian bread, soaked in water, squeezed, and torn into 1/2
inch pieces

Steps:

  • Combine ground beef, pork and veal in a large mixing bowl. Soak day old Italian bread in water until the water is absorbed. Squeeze out as much of the water as possible. Tear the bread into chunks and add to the meat mixture. Add remaining ingredients in order and mix thoroughly. Using the palms of the hands, form meatballs 2 to 2-1/2 inches in diameter. Use this recipe to make red gravy, meatloaf, soups and stews. Chef's Notes: When making red gravy, thoroughly brown the meatballs and deglaze the bits on the bottom of the pan with the plum tomatoes called for in the recipe. This creates a rich red color and hearty flavor.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ground beef. The better the meat, the better the meatballs will be. Look for ground beef that is at least 80% lean.
  • Don't overmix the meatball mixture. Overmixing will make the meatballs tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
  • Use your hands to form the meatballs. This will help to keep them light and airy.
  • Brown the meatballs in a skillet before baking them. This will help to keep them moist and flavorful.
  • Use a good-quality marinara sauce. The sauce is what will really make the meatballs shine. Look for a sauce that is made with fresh tomatoes and herbs.
  • Serve the meatballs over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes. They can also be used as an appetizer or party food.

Conclusion:

These Nonnas Old Country Italian Meatballs are a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a meal that your family and friends will love. So next time you're looking for a hearty and flavorful dish, give these meatballs a try. You won't be disappointed!

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