Italian Meatballs

Want juicy, umami-rich Italian Meatballs in around 30 minutes? This recipe is made the classic way – with both pork and beef ground meat and loads of luscious sauce!

I love making and eating this all year round. It’s comforting in winter and cheerful in summertime. These Italian meatballs pair beautifully with a crunchy salad or crusty garlic bread.

For more meatball recipes, try my Greek Chicken Meatballs, this Cheesy Quinoa with Meatballs dish, or these Grape Jelly Meatballs!

Ingredients

Italian Meatballs are made with pretty straightforward ingredients like these:

• Ground beef and ground pork: The base of the meatball mixture.
• Olive oil: Used for sautéing the onions and greasing hands for rolling the meatballs.
• Onion: Sautéed until soft to bring a sweet and savory base to the meatballs.
• Garlic: Adds fragrance and depth of flavor when cooked with the onions.
• Egg: Binds the mixture and helps hold the meatballs together.
• Parsley: Freshly chopped for a burst of color and herbal flavor.
• Parmesan or Pecorino: Grated cheese for richness and umami.
• Tomato paste: Adds a concentrated tomato flavor and helps bind the meatball mixture.
• Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that gives the meatballs their signature Italian taste.
• Paprika (or smoked paprika): Adds warmth and subtle smokiness.
• Salt and cracked black pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance all the flavors.
• Marinara sauce: Used to coat the meatballs and bring extra tomato flavor.
• Spaghetti (optional): A classic pairing to serve with the meatballs.

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Here’s how to make these incredibly delicious Italian Meatballs:

1. Step 1: Sauté onions in olive oils for 3-4 minutes until soft, then add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

2. Step 2: In a bowl, combine the cooked onion, ground beef, ground pork, egg, parsley, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.

3. Step 3: Mix with your hands until well combined.

4. Step 4: Rub hands with olive oil and roll the mixture into 24 meatballs.

5. Step 5: Oven: Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes or until cooked to your preference. Air Fryer: Cook meatballs at 370°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes until cooked through.

6. Step 6: Warm marinara sauce in a pan, toss meatballs in the sauce, and top with parmesan and fresh parsley. Serve with spaghetti or your preferred pasta.

Hint: Leave some space between your meatballs in the Air Fryer.

Substitutions

Check out these ideas for ingredient swaps:

• Ground beef and ground pork: Swap with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option while still maintaining moisture. Add a bit of olive oil to compensate for the lower fat content.
• Olive oil: Substitute with avocado oil or coconut oil.
• Parmesan or pecorino: Use nutritional yeast for a dairy-free, vegan-friendly option that still provides a savory, umami flavor.

Variations

Try a few of these ideas for a different flavor direction:

• Extra-herby: Experiment by adding fresh basil, oregano, or thyme. You can even add some rosemary.
• Spicy meatballs: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the meatball mixture. Alternatively, jalapeños or chili powder can be added.
• Cheese-stuffed meatballs: Create a surprise inside by stuffing the meatballs with a small chunk of mozzarella or fontina cheese.

Equipment

Here is what you’ll need:

Non-stick frying pan: For sautéing the onions and garlic.

Bowl: To combine the meatball ingredients.

Air fryer basket: If using the air fryer method for cooking the meatballs.

Tongs or spatula: To toss the meatballs in the marinara sauce.

Storage

Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

To freeze, let them cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months.

Reheat gently on the stovetop in marinara sauce or in the microwave until heated through.

FAQ

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Recipe

Italian Meatballs

I’m crazy about these juicy, savory Italian Meatballs! Perfect to top pasta or creamy mashed potato with!

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 3

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• ½ lb ground pork
• 1 tablespoon olive oil + more to cook
• 1 small onion finely diced
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• 1 egg medium whisked with a fork
• 3 tablespoon parsley finely chopped 10g
• ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan or pecorino plus more to serve
• 2 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon paprika or smoked paprika
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
• 1 32-oz. jar marinara sauce

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Instructions

• Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to a non-stick frying pan and sauté the onions for 3 – 4 minutes until soft. Add the garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.

• Add ground beef and pork to a bowl with the cooked onion as well as all other the ingredients (egg, parsley, , tomato puree, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt and pepper.) Mix with clean hands until well combined.

• Rub your hands with olive oil. Roll the mixture into 24 meatballs and place on a parchment lined baking tray or oiled air fryer basket. Spray with olive oil.

• Oven –  Preheat the oven to 400F/ 200C and bake for about 20 minutes or until cooked to your liking. Drizzle in oil to serve.

• Air fryer Preheat the AF to 370F / 190C. Add oiled meatballs to AF basket and cook for 10 – 12 minutes until cooked through.

• Warm marinara sauce in a pan. Toss meatballs through sauce and top with more parmesan, fresh parsley. Option to serve with spaghetti or pasta of choice.