homemade meatballs

Certainly! Here’s a classic recipe for homemade meatballs:

Ingredients:

For the Meatballs:

• 1 pound (450g) ground beef (you can also use a mixture of beef and pork)
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1 large egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the Sauce:

• 2 cups tomato sauce (homemade or store-bought)
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (or a blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme)
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance the acidity)
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Make the Meatballs: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, milk, chopped onion, chopped parsley, egg, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything together until well combined.
3. Shape the Meatballs: Take small portions of the mixture and roll them into meatballs about 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) in diameter. You can wet your hands with a bit of water to prevent the mixture from sticking.
4. Cook the Meatballs: You have two options for cooking the meatballs: you can either bake them or pan-fry them. To bake, place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes until they are browned and cooked through. To pan-fry, heat a skillet with some oil over medium heat and cook the meatballs for about 10-15 minutes, turning them to brown evenly on all sides.
5. Make the Sauce: In a saucepan, heat the tomato sauce over medium heat. Stir in the Italian seasoning, sugar (if using), salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes.
6. Simmer with Sauce: Add the cooked meatballs to the tomato sauce and simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
7. Serve: Serve the meatballs with your choice of pasta, spaghetti, or as a sandwich filling. You can also sprinkle some additional grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley on top for garnish.

Enjoy your homemade meatballs! They’re delicious on their own or with pasta for a hearty meal.