Italian Meatballs

Tender Italian meatballs made with beef, Parmesan, herbs, and garlic, simmered in a rich tomato sauce for a comforting main dish.

These Italian meatballs are juicy, flavorful, and simple to prepare. Made with a mix of ground beef, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, garlic, herbs, and eggs, they are first browned for depth of flavor and then simmered in tomato sauce until tender. Serve them with pasta, mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread for a satisfying meal that feels both classic and homemade.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 pound ground pork
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cups tomato sauce

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, eggs, milk, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
2. Mix gently until just combined. Do not overwork the mixture, or the meatballs may become dense.
3. Shape the mixture into meatballs about 1 1/2 inches wide.
4. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs in batches, turning carefully, for 5 to 7 minutes total.
5. Transfer the browned meatballs to a pot or deep skillet and add the tomato sauce.
6. Simmer over low heat for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and tender.
7. Serve hot with pasta, bread, or your favorite side dish.