CLASSIC BEEF MEATBALLS

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Classic Beef Meatballs image

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

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 pounds 80% lean ground beef
1 cup ricotta cheese
2 large eggs
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon ground fennel
4 cups Classic Tomato Sauce

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.

Uday roy Uday roy
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I've made these meatballs several times now and they are always a crowd-pleaser. They are so easy to make and they always turn out perfectly. The meatballs are moist and flavorful, and the sauce is delicious. I highly recommend this recipe.


Jo Mesa
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These meatballs were a hit with my family! They were easy to make and very flavorful. The sauce was also delicious. I will definitely be making these again.


Ghulam Akbar Pandrani
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I made these meatballs last night and they were delicious! The meatballs were moist and flavorful, and the sauce was rich and savory. I will definitely be making these again.


Alyssa K
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These meatballs were amazing! I made them for a party and they were a huge hit. Everyone loved them. The meatballs were moist and flavorful, and the sauce was delicious. I will definitely be making these again.


Jamshed Bhatti
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I've made these meatballs several times now and they are always a crowd-pleaser. They are so easy to make and they always turn out perfectly. The meatballs are moist and flavorful, and the sauce is delicious. I highly recommend this recipe.


Raziq Jan
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These meatballs were a hit with my family! They were easy to make and very flavorful. The sauce was also delicious. I will definitely be making these again.


Imma inside uganda
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I made these meatballs last night and they were delicious! The meatballs were moist and flavorful, and the sauce was rich and savory. I will definitely be making these again.


MASABA ANTON
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These meatballs were amazing! I made them for a party and they were a huge hit. Everyone loved them. The meatballs were moist and flavorful, and the sauce was delicious. I will definitely be making these again.


snapbeasty
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I've made these meatballs several times now and they are always a crowd-pleaser. They are so easy to make and they always turn out perfectly. The meatballs are moist and flavorful, and the sauce is delicious. I highly recommend this recipe.


Haroonjavaed Javaed
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These meatballs were a hit with my family! They were easy to make and very flavorful. The sauce was also delicious. I will definitely be making these again.


CHEF BRIANz
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I made these meatballs last night and they were delicious! The meatballs were moist and flavorful, and the sauce was rich and savory. I will definitely be making these again.


Fahima Akter Popy
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These meatballs were amazing! I made them for a party and they were a huge hit. Everyone loved them. The meatballs were moist and flavorful, and the sauce was delicious. I will definitely be making these again.


Pam Rincones
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I've made these meatballs several times now and they are always a crowd-pleaser. They are so easy to make and they always turn out perfectly. The meatballs are moist and flavorful, and the sauce is delicious. I highly recommend this recipe.


Grace Chipeta
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These meatballs were a hit with my family! They were easy to make and very flavorful. The sauce was also delicious. I will definitely be making these again.


Aakriti Gajmer
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I made these meatballs last night and they were delicious! The meatballs were moist and flavorful, and the sauce was rich and savory. I will definitely be making these again.


Sharjeel Imtiaz
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These meatballs were amazing! I made them for a party and they were a huge hit. Everyone loved them. The meatballs were moist and flavorful, and the sauce was delicious. I will definitely be making these again.


Samir Munshi
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I've made these meatballs several times now and they are always a crowd-pleaser. They are so easy to make and they always turn out perfectly. The meatballs are moist and flavorful, and the sauce is delicious. I highly recommend this recipe.


Lahori Warriors
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These meatballs were absolutely delicious! I made them for my family last night and they were a huge hit. The meatballs were moist and flavorful, and the sauce was rich and savory. I will definitely be making these again.