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 made quite a few of your recipes. They consistently are delish. I always give you credit. Although I admit to loving the compliments. I did this meatball recipe for my family get together. I love the onion soaked bread idea, and they came out EXCELLENT. But, I wanted to tell you, I cut the red pepper flakes in half for the sauce. I’m afraid it wasn’t enough. It will be enjoyed by some members of my family who love heat with their food. But for myself and a few others that have heartburn issues……not so much. This is something that I know I should have known better. I blew it. When I make it again, I will get it right. I know for some people “heat” is a flavor. For myself and others, it’s pain. I have difficulty understanding why some like food to hurt. And by the way, your lemon yogurt blueberry cake has been greatly enjoyed by my family. (Now THAT is how food should feel 😄!!!). I thank you for working so hard to both teach and bring great food to my table.
You’re so welcome Cindy! Best to just omit the red pepper flakes all together to be safe next time ☺️
WOW I WILL TRY THESE BECAUSE MY FAMILY LOVE MEAT BALLS WILL LET YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS
I hope they love them!
Do you have any suggestions for how to make these gluten free?
Just substitute the sandwich breach with gluten free bread ☺️
The best meat balls .Thank you
Absolutely yummy. I’ve made the recipe twice, and my highly critical Italian girlfriend said the tomato sauce and meatballs were perfect!!!
Thank you so much 😘
Could I add grated carrot/zucchini/mushrooms to these without affecting the recipe too much? If so how much do you think; maybe all combined -1 cup? Just to ‘vege’ it up for the kids?
Absolutely! I think 1 tightly packed cup will work a treat 🙂 N x
These were amazing. I used panko crumbs instead of bread. Also didn’t add the oil for the sauce or garlic, as my pan was already greased from the meatballs. I felt there was enough garlic in the meatballs that’s why I didn’t add more. Skipped chilli flakes as it was for a potluck. Really yummy – juicy, soft meatballs. Also, I chose to cook them all the way through in the first step and only tossed them in the sauce & simmered over super low heat 2/3 on my stove.
Amazing !!!!
Can you freeze the meatballs after Browning without sauce?
Renee, you can freeze them just try to get all the good bits off the bottom of the pan too.
Made these tonight and they were a hit! His and said it tasted better than restaurant. I did add a little sugar to the sauce and basil to the meatballs but other than that they were great!! Sauce was easy and delicious!
I have made these meatballs at least a dozen times since coming across the recipe!!! They are absolutely delicious and perfectly balanced in flavour for the whole family!. I squish them intro the sauce for my sixteen month old who loves them even though he is a very fussy eater! Last time I didn’t have any plane passata sauce and I one that had truffle oil in it, the addition of the earthy flavour was amazing. Thanks for sharing again
These are amazing- my husband and 4 yo said theyre the best theyve ever had! Just made for the second time with my little guys help!
Glad you enjoyed this one Tiffany!! N x
Made this tonight perhaps THE BEST meatballs I’ve ever eaten. Soaking bread (I had no bread used panko) in my opinion brilliant. I guess the combination of meat & pork was another brilliant idea. I didn’t put in oven but did on stove…had no puree so used organic marinara sauce addeed Italian herbs. Soft meatballs and delicious. My husband had over pasta I had over zucchini noodles honestly, I could have eaten over nothing and still enjoyed it!
Question, If I freeze meatballs in sauce will they remain as soft?
I plan to serve to THE GIRLS without pasta but I still may have leftovers…thanks
FANTASTIC!!! So glad you enjoyed this Lyn, thanks for letting me know! N x PS They are amazing even after freezing 🙂
Hi there for this recipe I only use one slice of white bread?
I am so sorry Nagi, I meant to post a comment, not a reply to the previous comment! Apologies also to Catia…
No problems Paola! I hope Catia doesn’t mind either 🙂 N x
Hello. I just have a comment about a statement you made in your recipe. You said, “italians soak their bread in milk”. I am 100% italian and no italian I have ever known uses milk to soak their bread for meatballs. I must say soaking the bread in the grated onion is definitely something I will try. I hope you don’t take offense to my comment.
That’s so strange Catia. I’ve done a lot of reading about Italian cooking in my time and I understood that to be the traditional way. I do not take offence at all, in fact, I encourage people sharing opinions and knowledge on my site! Thank you for sharing that! N x
I’ve read a lot of recipes that used milk to soak the bread too. I’ve read many recipes for water too. Thanks for the recipe
Dear Nagi,
I have been meaning to write and thank you since I discovered your site a few months ago.
I am Italian, currently live in Rome and very much enjoy cooking for my family and friends. My mother was a wonderful cook and I always aim at excellence (not saying I necessarily achieve it!). I am saying all this because I am not easily satisfied with the recipes I find online. I truly appreciate the passion and care that you put in your cooking, and I am sure there is a lot of hard work behind your dishes.
I was very intrigued by your suggestion to use grated onion instead of milk to soak the bread for meatballs. It does add some extra flavour to the standard recipe. My family and I, as well as anybody else I know, have always used milk, so I was a little surprised by one of the previous comments – however family and regional traditions differ widely, so this could explain it.
Anyway many thanks for all your recipes – I have found so much to inspire me, and to encourage me to branch out into new directions!
Great meatballs really flavorful. I graded the onion just like you said delicious . I will use this recipe from now on.
Thank you
I have searched and tried many meatball recipes none to my liking. I made this last night, doubled the sauce for hubby. Baked meatballs because I didn’t want the stove clean up. Hubby said this was the best meatball and sauce I’ve made and to keep this recipe and not change a thing ! All the other recipes are garbage bound. Thank you for another great recipe.
WHOOT! So glad you and your husband enjoyed this Betty!! N xx
In your notes , you say that if you use raw onion you run the risk of having raw onion in your meatballs, but that’s what your instructions say to do. I’m confused…
Hi Geri! It’s chopped onions that’s the problem. Grated works perfectly!! 🙂 N x
Thanks so much Nagi! I will be trying this recipe. Sounds perfect!😋
The article says if you dice the onion instead of grate it, you run the risk of the onion mishaping the meatball.
Hi Nagi
Do you have a way of “faking” these – they look delicious but I’m vegetarian!?! 😋 I love reading your blog x
Hi Justine! You’re vegetarian and you read my meat-laden blog??? 😂 Hmm, what about the broccoli cheese balls? Imagine them smothered in this sauce – YUM!!
Ha ha! I should explain that I’m actually pescatarian- I eat fish and seafood and although I don’t prepare your meat recipes, your fish/seafood and veggie recipes are fab! Love the tomato oil- dressing for the pasta salad, and some of your prawn/salmon recipes are incredible! I love your enthusiasm and, like many of your readers, I love seeing Dozer’s doggy adventures!! Thanks for all your hard work 😊😊
Want to try these and surprise my Italian wife! Can I make these then put them in big pot to simmer in the sauce for 2 to 3 hours or will that kill the tenderness or flavor?
Hi Wayne! That’s a bit long unfortunately, really recommend sticking with cook times per recipe! N x