How to Make Chef John's Italian Meatballs - A Step-by-Step Guide

Chef John's Italian Meatballs are a classic, family-friendly dish that never fails to satisfy taste buds. This recipe is a labor of love, and one that has been passed down through generations. These meatballs are moist, tender, and bursting with flavor, making them the perfect addition to any pasta dish or enjoyed on their own.

One of the keys to the success of this recipe is the use of high-quality ingredients. Chef John insists on using freshly ground beef, a mixture of pork and beef...

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Ingredients

  • ⅓ cup plain bread crumbs
  • ½ cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 pound ground pork
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ bunch fresh parsley, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herb seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Information

  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 35 mins
  • Additional Time: 1 hr 20 mins
  • Total Time: 2 hrs 15 mins
  • Servings: 8

  • Cover a baking sheet with foil and spray lightly with cooking spray. Soak bread crumbs in milk in a small bowl for 20 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir until onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low and continue cooking and stirring until onion is very tender, about 15 minutes more.
  • Gently stir beef and pork together in a large bowl. Add onions, bread crumb mixture, eggs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic, salt, black pepper, Italian herb seasoning, and red pepper flakes; mix together using a rubber spatula until combined. Cover and refrigerate for about one hour.
  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
  • Form mixture into balls about 1 1/2 inches in diameter; arrange in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until browned and cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Nutrition

    390 cal.

    • Total Fat: 31g
    • Saturated Fat: 12g
    • Cholesterol: 91mg
    • Sodium: 617mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 5g
    • Dietary Fiber: 1g
    • Protein: 21g
    • Vitamin C: 4mg
    • Calcium: 62mg
    • Iron: 2mg
    • Potassium: 349mg