The one thing that sets this meatball recipe apart from others? Soak sandwich bread with grated onion. The bread puffs up when cooked, making these meatballs extra soft and juicy. Plus it adds extra savoury flavour without the need to fry onion separately.
Italian Meatball recipe!
I don’t want to blow my own horn, but I’m determined to do everything I can to make you want to try these meatballs and if that means a mini brag sheet, then so be it. So here we go:
“Your meatball recipe is the same as my Italian Nonna! Love the idea of soaking the bread in onion juice rather than milk….. Will make them like this from now on (won’t tell Nonna!)” – Dan, 20 July, 2018
“This recipe is better than my Italian family’s .….. This is going to be my current family pass down to future generations.” – Rosemary, 19 March, 2018
“… we had a meatball cook off at work… and guess who won!!!! Thank you Nagi!!!!” – Angie, 18 August 2017
* And her head swells….. though also, she is actually just really happy to think about all the meatballs being made and enjoyed by people in the far corners of this big wide world*
Just two little things that make all the difference
1. Soaked bread = soft meatalls. Bread soaked in some form of liquid puffs up when cooked, creating little air pockets that makes meatballs extra soft. It works far better than ordinary breadcrumbs which actually has the tendency to make meatballs tough little balls (panko breadcrumbs is ok though), and the Italians have been doing this for years.
Italians use milk for soaking. I use grated onion – see next point.
2. Soak bread in grated onion = better flavour. Grating the onions serves a few purposes.
Flavour – 80% of my recipes start with “sauté onion until golden”. And there’s a reason for that. Onion is a flavour base that can’t be beaten, and I want it in my meatballs;
Soaking – it’s the juicy grated onion that is used to soak the bread, rather than milk or water which is what other recipes use. This way the liquid balance is not thrown out of balance.
No need to cook onion separately – If you use raw diced onion in the meatballs, you run the risk of having raw onions in them – unless you cook them for longer in which case you risk overcooking the meatballs!
No need to finely chop onion – because unless they are very finely diced, there is a tendency for the onion to affect how well the meatball holds together. Make your life easier – grate the onion! (Wear goggles if it makes your eyes water…)
This is how I roll meatballs
I have often wished for someone to invent a compact meatball rolling device. I have visions of a bike pump type contraption where you feed the meat into one end and perfectly formed meatballs pop out the other.
If you’re thinking what I think you are – get your mind out of the gutter and just imagine how convenient that would be!!! 😂
But until such time, this is the most efficient way I’ve been able to come up with for rolling meatballs.
Tip: Baking option for meatball recipes
Any of my Meatball recipes can be baked. It’s healthier and they stay nice and round, though they are not quite as juicy as pan frying (sear = trapped juices).
To bake meatballs, preferably use a rack placed on a tray – helps keep the base more round – then just spray both the rack and the meatballs generously with oil and bake at 200C/400F for 20 minutes.
You won’t find Spaghetti and Meatballs in Italy …
Yes, really! In Italy, meatballs are called Polpette. Though the ingredients are typically the same as what I am using (except for my grated onion technique) along with a similar tomato sauce, they are larger (about the size of golf balls) and they are served with bread rather than pasta.
So Spaghetti and Meatballs is not authentic Italian, but that’s ok. Just as there’s no such thing as Beef and Broccoli in China, and no Chicken Tikka Masala in India, we love it anyway and we will always love it.❤️ – Nagi x
MORE CLASSICS WE’LL LOVE FOREVER
Italian Meatball
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
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Italian Meatballs (Extra Soft and Juicy!)
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 lightly packed cup of diced white sandwich bread , crusts removed (Note 1 for SUB)
- 1 small onion (brown, white or yellow)
- 14 oz / 400 g ground beef (mince)
- 3 oz / 100g ground pork (mince), or sub with more beef (Note 2)
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley , finely chopped (Note 3)
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 1/4 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano (or parmesan), freshly grated
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Cooking Meatballs & Sauce
- 2.5 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 3/4 cup onion , finely chopped (white, brown or yellow)
- 24 oz / 700 g tomato passata (Tomato Puree in US/CAN – Note 4)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes (chili flakes)
- 3 tsp dried Italian herb mix (parsley, basil, thyme, oregano)
- 1 tsp salt
- Black pepper
To Serve
- Pasta of choice
- Parmesan
- Parsley , finely chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Grate the onion using a standard box grater in a large bowl until you have about 1/2 cup of grated onion and juices.
- Add bread, mix to combine so the onion juice soaks the bread and disintegrates. Set aside while you prep the other ingredients (5 min or so).
- Add all the remaining Meatball ingredients. Use hands to mix well.
- Measure out a heaped tablespoon and roll lightly to form a ball. Repeat with remaining mixture. (Note 5)
- Heat 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil in a large non stick fry pan over medium high heat. Add the meatballs and brown all over – about 3 – 4 minutes.
- When they are browned but NOT cooked through, carefully transfer them onto a plate.
Cooking & Sauce:
- Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil into the fry pan.
- Add the onion and garlic and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until translucent. Add the remaining Sauce ingredients. Bring to a simmer, then turn down to medium low so it bubbles gently rather than splattering everywhere.
- Carefully transfer the meatballs and any juices that have pooled on the plate into the Sauce.
- Cook the meatballs for 8 – 10 minutes, turning and stirring occasionally. Adjust Sauce salt and pepper to taste.
- While the meatballs are cooking, cook your pasta of choice.
- Serve the meatballs on pasta, garnished with extra parmesan and parsley if using.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
This Italian Meatball recipe was originally published August 2015. Long overdue for a video and new photos – no change to recipe, I wouldn’t dare!
I get a round: 8 more meatball recipes
LIFE OF DOZER
Bush walk. In hunt of something stinky to roll in – always.
I have tried many “super moist” meatball recipes – this one def is. My fussy 10yo even ate without her usual vigor of complaining.
YES! Winner winner!
Delicious meatballs . I used panko breadcrumbs with excellent results .
I’ll cook the onion longer next time as it was a little crunchy in my sauce . After 10 extra minutes cooking time , the sauce was perfect .
Sounds great Sue – N x
Nagi, love your recipes, have yet to find one I didn’t enjoy. If i wanted to prepare this a day in advanced for a dinner party, am i best off making the meatballs, storing them raw, then frying and making sauce on the day?
Hi T, I’d cook them so you just need to reheat on the day, otherwise you could make them the day before and cook on the day – whatever suits! – N x
Hi Nagi, I’m hoping to make these for a family event in about 5 weeks time, do you think I could make them in advance and freeze them ok? If so would you suggest freezing raw or cooked?
Nagi this was sensational. The meal has made my day, if not my week. My balls were a little weak structurally but we recovered simmering in the Passata. Great food, great times.
Hi Ryley, if you find them falling apart, just add a little more bread to hold them together 🙂
I use measuring cups to initially measure the amount of meat. Cup used determines the size meatball I want. Scoop the meat with the measuring cup, and level with my palm…shake out on cookie sheet, and once all have been measured, roll by hand into ball ! Very easy, and fast !
Great idea! I love using my large cookie scoop 🙂
Made these for dinner tonight with my 7 year old daughter. Baked them in the oven first as was a real winner. Great recipe . Thanks
A straightforward recipe yielding great results!
WOOT! Thanks Ann!
I was wondering what percentage ground beef did you use on your meatballs? 80/20, 90/10?
Hi Lynn, I tend to use the fattier mince so they are extra juicy! – N x
Thank you! I’m on this this week end. Cant wait to try them!
I only have pork on hand! Will it still work? Thanks 🙂
Sure thing Joanne!
Re the grating of the onion. I was a mess – mascara all over the place and nose running. Not a pretty sight😂😂. I purchased especially for this recipe the little mini kitchen aid food processor/chopper. It can sit on the counter or be put in a drawer. I have used it for so many things – easier than hauling out the huge one.. it think I paid $39 Canadian.
After tasting the first meatball, my husband looked at me: “better save this recipe, it’s a keeper”. Thank you Nagi, another great recipe.
Sounds great!
OMG just made these last night and I won’t make meatballs any other way from now on! It’s worth the work grating the onions. Best meatballs I’ve ever had and I’m just shocked that I made them! I wonder though… what happens if you put the onions in a food processor? Too processed?
Hi Nagi, i’d love to try this recipe in my slow cooker – do you think that would work ok? Many Thanks!
I haven’t tried Daniela, I like to get a bit of colour on my meatballs because colour = flavour!!
Hi Nagi! I love your recipes and enjoy making them, how do you have so much time to make them?!
This is my job! This is what I do every day ☺️
I made these for my boyfriend and parents last night and they have not stopped raving about how amazing they are since! My dad even commented “we spent a fortune at a fancy restaurant last night and these meatballs are 1000x better”. I now only cook using your recipes, I know they are guaranteed to be delicious! Next stop are your Lamb Shanks in Red Wine sauce! Xx
That’s awesome to hear Hayley!! Love to know what you think of the shanks when you try them ❤️
Hi Nagi! I have always grated my onion😎It just makes everything moister and more flavorful. i grate for meatloaf etc!
Yes!!! It’s the best technique ever!
Thank you Nagi, another delicious recipe to add to my ever growing repertoire. Sauce had a lovely depth of flavour considering it was so simple in terms of ingredients.
Wahoo, I’m so happy you loved it Daneille!
I’ve been using your recipes for a while now. When I say to my husband I’m making something from here, he always gets excited. This recipe was no exception. Absolutely delicious. So juicy and tender and the sauce was so flavorful.
I’m so glad you both love it Rhonda!
Hi Nagi! Addicted to your recipes and they have become my go-to! Have tried a few and all have been a succcess! But saying that, I had a little issue with this meatball recipe.
The meatballs turned out great, but the sauce was quite tarte! I added about 2 tsp of sugar, but still the tartness was very much there. Why do you think that is? Just to let you know, I used Hunt’s Tomato Sauce as that’s the closest alternative I could find.
Hi Nida! That’s really strange! All I can think is that the can of Hunts you used was unusually sour?? Sometimes here in Australia canned tomatoes and similar products are way more sour than they should be, seasonality I guess. I’ve never had a problem with Hunts – I bring back quite a few cans every time I am in the States to use for recipe testing purposes 🙂 N x
Hi Nida, without a doubt it would of been the Tomato Sauce you used as to why it was so tart – if this is all you can use as an alternative you may need to balance the acidity with more sugar – N x
Thank you for replying! Will try the recipe again, with a few tweaks 🙂 xx
Hi, Can I brown all the meatballs then make the sauce ahead of time then just cook later? (when I have guests over) Or will the meatballs not cook through enough in the sauce?
Hi Katie, I would just cook the meatballs the whole way through and then reheat in the sauce when guests arrive – N x
Hi Nagi, these meatballs were super tasty but I wonder how I could make it more soft? The Fratelli Fresh recipe uses ricotta, oil and pinenuts. Very moist but also very fatty! Would it work if I added more onion or milk to your recipe? Also, can you overwork meat like you do cake from over mixing?
Hi Linda, make sure you don’t use lean meat in meatballs otherwise they do become a bit hard – I’ve heard you can overwork protein so I usually just mix with my hands until combined – N x