20 Tender Italian Meatball Recipe You Must Try Them!
Published on: Mar 15, 2024
In the world of Italian cuisine, there are few dishes as beloved and versatile as the humble meatball. Whether served with a hearty marinara sauce or nestled in a steaming bowl of spaghetti, these tender orbs of flavor have become a staple in households and restaurants alike. But what is the secret to creating the perfect Italian meatball? Look no further, as we present to you a professional and well-organized introduction to our tender Italian meatball recipe.
Main Ingredients: Medium Carrots, Celery, Yellow Onion, Italian
If you're looking for a hearty and flavorful soup, this slow cooker Italian meatball soup is the perfect choice. With tender homemade meatballs, a rich tomato broth, and a generous helping of Italian herbs and spices, this soup is sure to warm you up on a cold day.
To make this soup, start by forming your meatballs from a mixture of ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and fennel seed. While the meatballs are browning, mix together your broth, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and seasonings in the slow cooker. Once the meatballs are cooked, add them to the slow cooker and let the soup simmer for a few hours to develop its delicious flavors.
For a twist on the classic chicken noodle soup, try this Italian meatball soup. The tender meatballs, hearty vegetables, and flavorful broth make this soup a satisfying meal on its own.
To make this soup, start by sautéing onion, carrots, and celery in a large pot. Add in your beef broth, diced tomatoes, and Italian seasonings, and let the soup simmer for about 30 minutes. While the soup is cooking, form your meatballs from a mixture of ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, and rosemary. Drop the meatballs into the simmering soup and let them cook for about 10 minutes before serving.
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Italian Meatball Bites
Main Ingredients: Italian Meatballs, Biscuits, Shredded Mozzarella
These bite-sized meatballs are perfect for parties or as a fun appetizer for a family dinner. With a sweet and tangy sauce and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning, these meatball bites are sure to be a hit.
To make these meatballs, mix together ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, and seasonings. Roll the mixture into small balls and bake in the oven. While the meatballs are cooking, make the sauce by combining ketchup, brown sugar, and balsamic vinegar. Once the meatballs are done, toss them in the sauce and serve with toothpicks for easy snacking.
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Slow Cooker Italian Meatball Stew
Main Ingredients: Italian Meatballs, Olive Oil, Carrots, Celery, Red Bell
This slow cooker Italian meatball stew is a hearty and comforting dish that is perfect for a busy weeknight. With tender meatballs, vegetables, and a flavorful broth, this stew is sure to become a family favorite.
To make this stew, start by browning your meatballs in a skillet. In a slow cooker, combine beef broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and seasonings. Add in the meatballs, along with carrots, potatoes, and thyme, and let everything cook on low for 6-8 hours. Serve with crusty bread for a complete meal.
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Slow Cooker Italian Meatball and Tortellini Soup
Main Ingredients: Dried Basil, Dried Oregano, Diced Onion, Grated
If you love tortellini, you'll love this slow cooker Italian meatball and tortellini soup. With tender meatballs, cheesy tortellini, and a rich tomato broth, this soup is a delicious and filling meal.
To make this soup, start by browning your meatballs in a skillet. In a slow cooker, combine beef broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and seasonings. Add in the meatballs, along with cheese tortellini and basil, and let everything cook on low for 4-6 hours. Serve with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese on top for added flavor.
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Easy Italian Meatball Sandwiches
Main Ingredients: Italian Style Meatballs, Sandwiches, Marinara Sauce
These easy Italian meatball sandwiches are a great way to use up leftover meatballs or to make a quick and delicious meal. With crusty bread, melty cheese, and juicy meatballs, these sandwiches are a crowd-pleaser.
To make these sandwiches, start by heating up your meatballs in a skillet with olive oil. Once they're heated through, add in your favorite marinara sauce and let everything simmer together. Toast your bread and top with the meatball mixture, along with some mozzarella cheese. Place the sandwiches under the broiler for a few minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
This classic Italian meatball sandwich is a perfect lunch or dinner option for any day of the week. With homemade meatballs, a flavorful marinara sauce, and a crusty baguette, this sandwich is sure to satisfy your cravings.
To make this sandwich, start by browning your meatballs in a skillet. In a separate pot, heat up some marinara sauce and add in the meatballs to simmer for a few minutes. Spoon the meatballs and sauce onto a toasted baguette and top with shredded parmesan cheese. Serve with a side of garlic fries for a complete meal.
These Italian meatball sliders are a fun and easy way to enjoy your favorite meatball flavors in a bite-sized form. With tender meatballs, zesty marinara sauce, and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning, these sliders are perfect for parties or a quick lunch.
To make these sliders, start by baking your meatballs in the oven. Meanwhile, heat up some marinara sauce and slice your slider rolls in half. Once the meatballs are done, place them on the bottom half of the rolls and top with the sauce and provolone cheese. Place the top half of the rolls on top and bake in the oven for a few minutes until the cheese is melted and the rolls are toasted.
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Easy Italian Meatball Soup
Main Ingredients: Cooking Oil, Carrots, Celery, Onion, Tomato Paste
This easy Italian meatball soup is a simple and delicious meal that can be made in just 30 minutes. With tender meatballs, vegetables, and a flavorful broth, this soup is both comforting and satisfying.
To make this soup, start by browning your meatballs in a pot. Once they're cooked, remove them from the pot and sauté some onion, carrots, and celery. Add in beef broth, diced tomatoes, and Italian seasonings, and let everything simmer until the vegetables are tender. Add the meatballs back into the pot and let the soup cook for a few more minutes before serving.
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Italian Meatball Pizza
Main Ingredients: Pillsbury Pizza Crust, Pizza Sauce, Cooked Italian
If you're a fan of meatball pizza, you'll love this homemade version. With a crispy crust, tangy marinara sauce, and juicy meatballs, this pizza is sure to be a hit with your family.
To make this pizza, start by making your own pizza dough or using a pre-made crust. Top the crust with marinara sauce and sprinkle with oregano. Place cooked meatballs on top of the sauce and add some sliced bell peppers for extra flavor. Bake in the oven until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
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Italian Meatball Stromboli
Main Ingredients: Italian Style Meatballs, Butter, Baby Portabella
This Italian meatball stromboli is a fun and delicious twist on a classic Italian dish. With all the flavors of a meatball sub wrapped up in a crispy crust, this stromboli is sure to be a hit with your family.
To make this stromboli, start by rolling out your pizza dough into a rectangular shape. Spread a layer of marinara sauce over the dough and top with cooked meatballs, sliced onions, and green peppers. Roll up the dough and seal the edges. Bake in the oven until the crust is golden brown and the filling is hot and bubbly.
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Italian Meatball Caprese Skewers
Main Ingredients: Italian Style Meatballs, Fresh Mozzarella Cheese, Grape
These Italian meatball caprese skewers are a fun and easy appetizer that is perfect for any gathering. With juicy meatballs, fresh mozzarella, and cherry tomatoes all on a skewer, these bites are full of flavor.
To make these skewers, start by grilling or baking your meatballs. Once they're cooked, let them cool slightly and then thread them onto skewers with small balls of fresh mozzarella and cherry tomatoes. Drizzle with a balsamic vinegar glaze for added flavor and enjoy!
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Crock Pot Italian Meatball Soup
Main Ingredients: Italian Style Meatballs, Low Sodium Beef Broth, Water
If you're short on time but still want a delicious and comforting meal, this crock pot Italian meatball soup is the perfect choice. With a short list of ingredients and minimal prep time, this soup is a great option for busy weeknights.
To make this soup, simply add frozen meatballs, beef broth, diced tomatoes, Italian seasonings, and minced garlic to your slow cooker. Let everything cook on low for 4-6 hours, then stir in some spinach before serving for added nutrition and flavor.
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Easy Slow Cooker Italian Meatball Subs
Main Ingredients: Italian Style Meatballs, Olive Oil, Crushed Tomatoes
These easy slow cooker Italian meatball subs are a perfect meal to make on a lazy day. With tender meatballs, zesty marinara sauce, and melted cheese, these subs are sure to satisfy your cravings.
To make these subs, start by heating up your meatballs in a skillet. Once they're cooked, place them in the slow cooker with your favorite marinara sauce and let everything cook on low for a few hours. When you're ready to eat, simply spoon the meatball mixture onto sub rolls and top with provolone cheese. Place the subs under the broiler for a few minutes to melt the cheese and enjoy!
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Meatball Lasagna
Main Ingredients: Italian Meatballs, Oven Ready Lasagna Noodles, Ricotta
This meatball lasagna is a delicious and hearty meal that is perfect for a family dinner. With layers of tender meatballs, pasta, and ricotta cheese, this lasagna is sure to be a hit with everyone.
To make this lasagna, start by cooking your meatballs in a skillet. In a separate pot, cook your lasagna noodles according to the package instructions. In a baking dish, layer your meatballs, noodles, sauce, and ricotta cheese. Repeat the layers and top with mozzarella cheese. Bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
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Neapolitan-Style Meatball Pizza
Main Ingredients: All Purpose Flour, Active Dry Yeast, Coarse Kosher
This Neapolitan-style meatball pizza is a delicious and authentic Italian pizza that is sure to impress your friends and family. With a thin and crispy crust, tangy marinara sauce, and flavorful meatballs, this pizza is a must-try.
To make this pizza, start by making your own pizza dough or using a pre-made crust. Spread a layer of marinara sauce over the dough and top with cooked meatballs, sliced black olives, and fresh basil. Bake in the oven until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
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Italian Style Meatball Kabobs
Main Ingredients: Garlic, Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, Pesto, Green Bell
These Italian style meatball kabobs are a fun and flavorful twist on traditional kabobs. With tender meatballs, sliced zucchini, and red onion, these kabobs are perfect for grilling season.
To make these kabobs, start by forming your meatballs and grilling them until they're cooked through. While the meatballs are cooking, soak your skewers in water to prevent them from burning. Once the meatballs are done, thread them onto skewers with chunks of sliced zucchini and red onion. Grill until the vegetables are tender and the meatballs are heated through.
This Italian wedding casserole is a delicious and comforting meal that is perfect for a family dinner. With tender meatballs, creamy pasta, and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning, this casserole is sure to be a hit.
To make this casserole, start by browning your meatballs in a skillet. In a separate pot, cook your choice of pasta. In a baking dish, layer the pasta, meatballs, and a mixture of cream cheese, sour cream, and marinara sauce. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese and bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
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Hearty Italian Meatball Soup
Main Ingredients: Water, Diced Tomatoes, Beef Broth, Italian Seasoning
This hearty Italian meatball soup is a filling and nutritious meal that is perfect for a cold day. With a rich tomato broth, tender meatballs, and a variety of vegetables, this soup is a complete meal in itself.
To make this soup, start by browning your meatballs in a skillet. In a pot, cook diced onions, carrots, and celery. Add in beef broth, diced tomatoes, and Italian seasonings, and let everything simmer for about 30 minutes. Add the meatballs to the pot and let the soup cook for a few more minutes before serving.
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Abruzzese Italian Meatballs and Spaghetti
Main Ingredients: Italian Meatballs, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Tomatoes On
If you're craving a classic Italian meal, this Abruzzese Italian meatballs and spaghetti dish is a perfect choice. With homemade meatballs, a rich tomato sauce, and al dente spaghetti, this dish is a delicious and satisfying meal.
To make this dish, start by forming your meatballs from a mixture of ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, and oregano. Brown them in a skillet and set aside. In a pot, cook your spaghetti until it is al dente. In a separate pot, heat up your favorite marinara sauce and add in the meatballs to simmer for a few minutes. Serve the meatballs and sauce over the spaghetti and top with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
The Importance of High-Quality Ingredients
Quality Meat
When it comes to making mouth-watering meatballs, the quality of your ingredients cannot be overstated. Using high-quality meat is essential for creating a tender and flavorful result. While traditional Italian recipes call for a mix of ground beef, pork, and veal, feel free to experiment with different combinations or stick to your personal preference. Just be sure to choose fresh, lean cuts of meat, as the excess fat will make the meatballs greasy and less flavorful.
Fresh Herbs and Spices
Herbs and spices are the key to adding depth and complexity of flavor to your meatballs. Freshly chopped parsley, garlic, and oregano are classic Italian choices, but don't be afraid to get creative and add your own spin on things. Just be sure to use fresh herbs for maximum flavor and ground spices for a consistent distribution throughout the meat mixture.
The Art of Mixing and Forming
The Perfect Ratio
Once you have your ingredients ready, it's time to start mixing and forming the meatballs. Start by combining the meat, herbs, and spices in a mixing bowl. A ratio of about 2 parts meat to 1 part breadcrumbs is generally a good starting point. The breadcrumbs help to bind the mixture together and create a lighter texture. You can also use panko breadcrumbs for a crispier exterior.
The Importance of Rolling
When it comes to forming the meatballs, be sure to roll them gently in your hands, being careful not to overwork the mixture. This will help to keep the meatballs tender and prevent them from becoming dense. Aim for uniform-sized balls to ensure even cooking.
Cooking Methods and Serving Suggestions
Baking vs. Frying
There are two main methods for cooking Italian meatballs: baking and frying. Baking is a healthier option as it requires little to no oil, and the meatballs cook evenly. However, frying gives the meatballs a delicious crispy exterior and adds a depth of flavor. You can also bake and then fry the meatballs for the best of both worlds.
Serving Suggestions
Once your meatballs are cooked to perfection, it's time to serve them up! You can serve them as an appetizer with a side of marinara sauce for dipping or toss them in your favorite pasta dish. Another delicious option is to serve them on a bed of creamy polenta or nestled in a warm sandwich roll for a tasty meatball sub.
In conclusion, with the right ingredients and cooking methods, you can create the perfect tender Italian meatballs. Don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with different flavors and serving options. Your taste buds will thank you. Buon appetito!
