Italian Meatball Recipe

Italian Meatballs
If you’ve been searching the net for the perfect recipe for Italian meatballs, your search has officially come to an end. Look no further because today I have for you the best Italian meatball recipe on the face of this earth. Now before I continue I already know what your thinking, “but Bobby everyone claims to have the best meatball recipe,” and as true as that may be, these meatballs really are the best! With their amazing flavor they are sure to impress anyone, and they are great for eating for a casual dinner or to make on any special occasion. If you’re feeding a large crowd, make sure to make a lot because these are going to disappear. I usually bake these in the oven, but you can also simmer them in pasta sauce for about 40 minutes and you will be amazed with the perfect texture it gives them. These meatballs can also be pre-made and then frozen, so you can just pull them out of the freezer and cook them whenever you like. They go great with noodles and pasta sauce topped with mozzarella or parmesan cheese. Enjoy.

 Italian MeatballsItalian Meatballs

Ingredients:
1 ½ pounds of lean beef or pork (or use a mixture of both)
¼ cup parmesan cheese
1 large slightly beaten egg
½ cup Italian breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons of minced garlic
2 teaspoons of salt (can use less)
1 teaspoon of black pepper
½ cup of milk
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 teaspoons of dried parsley

Cooking Instructions:
Italian MeatballsItalian Meatballs
Step 1: Mix all of the ingredients into a large bowl.
Step 2: Shape the mixture into small-medium sized meatballs. At this point if you don’t want to cook these right now you could put them in the freezer for later.
Italian MeatballsItalian Meatballs
Step 3: Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees, and place the meatballs on a baking sheet. As you can see, I had to use pizza pans.
Step 4: Put your meatballs in the oven and bake for 25 minutes.Another cooking method is to simmer the meatballs in pasta sauce for about 40 minutes. This will give them great flavor and texture.

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143 Comments so far

  1. [...] presents Italian Meatball Recipe posted at Free Online Recipes | Free Recipes, saying, “hi, please consider my italian [...]

  2. Max on June 18th, 2008

    Just wanted to comment on your photography! It’s great – I have tried to take decent food shots but never get anything i like (though I don’t have a macro lens) – but even still, most of the time the images just look washed out. The first and third shots on this post are great.

  3. Bobby on June 19th, 2008

    Max – thanks for the compliments on my photos!

  4. Geoffrey on August 5th, 2008

    What will doubling the recipe require for adjusted oven time/temperature? Thanks.

  5. Bobby on August 5th, 2008

    Geoffrey – Shouldn’t require any additional oventime or a higher temp. 25-40 minutes should easily fully cook them. To check if they are done just cut one in half, if it’s brown all the way through they are done. I hope you enjoy the recipe. Thanks.

  6. Caroline on August 19th, 2008

    I have tried your recipe, and it was awesome!! I actually baked the meat balls and froze them for a later date, (kind of like those kind you get from the grocery store!!) so I was just wondering how you mixed your meat and ingreatens up, like I used a spoon, but I think I will be using my hands next time!! I have pictures of my process if you’d like to see it, web site is…

    http://jellybean1727.livejournal.com/197721.html

    and yes you can see your recipe in the back ground and I put it in my notebook!! I feel like a dork now haha
    Thanks for the recipe!!

  7. Kelly on October 3rd, 2008

    This was the first time I ever made meatballs. They tasted amazing. My dinner guests loved them. This is a keeper.

  8. j dog on October 5th, 2008

    I just tried your recipe and it was great. Great flavor and consistency. Thanks for the recipe! ;-)

  9. Ethiks on October 15th, 2008

    Im at work right now preparing ideas for our presidential debate party tonight. Looks like im gonna go with your Italian meatball’s here. Simplistic, attractive recepie. Thanks, i’ll let you know how it went.

  10. HEATHER on October 15th, 2008

    I too am preparing your meatball recipe for my debate party. The kids will be fed early so I’ll have a verdict before the adult passion and spirits.
    I’ll email a review.

  11. celia on October 25th, 2008

    Hi, going to try this tonight. I have a 6 yr-old who is complaining that I always cook the same thing- but he hates trying ‘new’ food. Will try your meatballs and see what he thinks.

  12. Kathleen on October 29th, 2008

    I have the first batch in the oven– smells delicious! the baby in my tummy can’t wait for some yummy protein.

  13. Tammy on November 2nd, 2008

    We just tried these meatballs and even though we had to substitute wheat hamburger buns instead of Italian breadcrumbs, the meatballs turned out fabulous! Great recipe!

  14. Lorraine on November 16th, 2008

    I am not much of a cook, but have been trying to make good n’ hearty meals to freeze. That way, I can have a great home cooked meal at any time. I found your meatball recipe and IT WAS AMAZING! I am passing this recipe on to a friend of mine after telling her how awesome they were. Now I feel like I can whip these up for company and everyone will leave with their taste buds satisfied! Thanks!
    : )

  15. Melissa on November 19th, 2008

    I’m in the process of making these meatballs right now… I have to say they look (and smell) delicious! I opted for the baking method because I’m making dinner in a couple of hours and just wanted to have them ready ahead of time so it wouldn’t be a bum rush to get everything done all at once. I mixed them with a fork and because I have fairly long fingernails, I put ziploc baggies over my hands to roll them up and it worked out just fine. I got 25 meatballs out of this recipe and I actually only had 1 lb. of ground beef. Hopefully they will taste as good as they smell!

  16. miguel on November 20th, 2008

    Thanks for sharing this recipe with us. I tried it last night and loved it!

  17. brian on December 1st, 2008

    Quick, simple, straightforward and delicious result. Made about 10 meatballs for tonight and froze the rest for another random monday night when I crave a little Italian dinner with a bottle of red wine. I think these also would be great on a sandwich. Thanks for the recipe!

  18. Jenny Carter on December 2nd, 2008

    I am going to try and make these, and I am wondering what kind of sauce I would put them in to cook them in the crock-pot, any Ideas? Thanks!

  19. Bobby on December 2nd, 2008

    Jenny – spaghetti sauce or marinara would be great. I hope you enjoy the meatballs!

  20. Melinda on December 7th, 2008

    These are the best meatballs I’ve ever had. I used them for meatball subs. They are simple but have a great flavor! Thanks!

  21. Dawn on December 14th, 2008

    I’ve used this recipe twice. Everyone loves them. It’s simple. Most ingredients already in the cupboard.

  22. Lynn on December 14th, 2008

    Just a quick tip; I place my meatballs in the microwave for a few minutes. They brown nicely. Then I drain off all the fat and place them in the sauce or freeze. Saves me time.

  23. Mike Zaleski on December 17th, 2008

    I never made meatballs before either, but I’m going to try this recipe. Should I do a combination of baking and simmering in the sauce? Can you just put the raw meatballs ni the sauce for 40 mins or should I bake them for a while (or 20 mins) first? Im’ 26, but I’m pretty much just starting out cooking with meat. Any comments/help would be appreciated.

  24. Bobby on December 17th, 2008

    Mike – You can simmer them from the raw state for 40 minutes. I would recommend browning the meatballs in the oven as you stated and then simmering. I hope you enjoy the recipe.

  25. janice on December 19th, 2008

    Can i just bake them right into the oven and not simmer it? This really smells good..Im actually preparing it right now for dinner.

  26. Bobby on December 19th, 2008

    janice – yes you can. Enjoy the recipe.

  27. jamie on December 22nd, 2008

    Well I have a very picky husband and my food is never as good as his mothers. However, I can now say I make something better than her! He loved your meatball recipe! Thanks for giving one up on my mother in law!

  28. Maureen on December 28th, 2008

    I am making these today. Would you know how many garlic cloves make 2 tablespoons? Thank you.

  29. Bobby on December 28th, 2008

    Maureen – It all depends on the size of the cloves. If they are decent sized I would say about 5.

  30. Jenny on December 30th, 2008

    Great recipe – my family loved the meatballs! I used them in a traditional spaghetti and meatballs dinner. I baked the meatballs as suggested, then added them to the sauce to simmer a little while. The only thing I changed was using garlic powder instead of the cloves since that’s what I had on hand.
    Yummy recipe – definitely one that goes in the rotation!

  31. upstate Mom on December 31st, 2008

    Everyone in my family LOVES these!

  32. Jeffro on January 10th, 2009

    This was a simple recipe, thanks for sharing. Made spaghetti and “Your” meatballs. Everyone asked for more meatballs. I cant wait for a Meatball sandwich.

  33. Christy on January 11th, 2009

    Thanks for the recipe. It was a hit! This was my first time making meatballs. I think I added a little too much salt, but no one said anything other than it was good.

  34. Joan on January 14th, 2009

    I usually brown my meatballs in a pan with olive oil. Drain. And then add to sauce. Do you think this is an unnecessary step? If I choose to bake them, could I coat them with olive oil for a little more flavor or should I just leave them alone. I think that the oil also adds to the sauce that I make and add the meatballs to. Your suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks.

  35. Bobby on January 14th, 2009

    Joan – I think baking them in the oven is the best way. If you want to coat them in olive oil, I don’t think it could hurt. What I usually do its brown them in the oven and then finish by simmering in the sauce. The combination is great.

  36. amy on January 14th, 2009

    just had to say- excellent meatball recipe! they were delicious & very easy to make! i baked them for about 22 minutes, then added them to the sauce for another 20 minutes or so. they added great flavor to any otherwise dull jar sauce. i froze half & can’t wait to dig into those.
    thanks for a recipe that is now one of my favorites!

  37. Lisa on January 15th, 2009

    I’m making these right now w/ some modifications cause I always go overboard ;-)

    I did not read the reviews first and put the raw meatballs right into the sauce. I hope they turn out okay still. I’ll post back after I eat them and if they are good, I’ll state my added ingredients.

    Can’t wait to try them!

  38. Cathy on January 19th, 2009

    Wow, I made a triple batch and they are wonderful. I used half ground turkey instead of beef (can’t eat beef). My husband was very happy, and now I have bags frozen for several meals. One hint: to make the balls quickly, I used a small Ice cream scoop that has a lever to pop out the balls. They needed only a tiny bit of rolling to finish shaping, and they are all the same size (I have problems getting them even in size by hand.) YUM!

  39. Anita on January 20th, 2009

    Made these tonight and they are delicious!! Thanks for a simple and tasty recipe that will become a house favorite!!

  40. Fran on January 29th, 2009

    I’m curious to know, I am going to be making these meatballs today for the first time, but what do you think about putting a sauce on them before freezing? I always put a sauce I make (brown sugar, mustard, garlic and onion spagetti sauce… and just this and that for seasonings) on my meatloaf every 30 minutes or so while I bake it… just enough to lightly cover the top each time – so that it doesn’t spill over and burn in the pan – hate when that happens.
    So would you put the sauce on it – then freeze it, or would you wait? I guess I’m asking if it would hurt to do this? If it would taste okay when thawed and reheated then.

  41. Bobby on January 29th, 2009

    Fran – Yes, you can freeze the meatballs with the sauce.

  42. Mike on January 30th, 2009

    What about when cooking in a crockpot?

    I baked for 15 minutes in the oven and plan on cooking in a crockpot at the lowest setting for about 8 hours tomorrow.

    I wonder if I should have baked for more time? Less time?

    Thanks.

  43. Bobby on January 30th, 2009

    Mike – I would check them after about 4-5 hours on low if you already baked them for 15 minutes. Let me know how they turn out.

  44. Amy on February 1st, 2009

    This is similar to what I usually “piece” together from around the kitchen – it’s nice to have it in print! Here’s a tip to help on time and mess: I used my KitchenAid with the dough hook to mix. No more messy, frozen fingers! Combine with the mini ice cream scoop for forming the meatballs and production is a breeze.

  45. Laura on Feb 2-09 on February 2nd, 2009

    I have made these once and they are so good. My husband and kids loved them. I like that you have pictures as well. Thank you.

  46. Carrie Osorio on February 6th, 2009

    I am not even a very good cook at all, and these were so tasty! I used them to make meatball subs. Yum!

  47. paula on February 10th, 2009

    These are easy to make and the best meatballs I’ve ever had

  48. Lisa on February 15th, 2009

    Awesome meatballs! My first time from scratch and I’ll be hanging on to this recipe. In fact, I’m still taste testing as I sit at my computer… hope there is enough for dinner!!

  49. Joe P on February 21st, 2009

    Thanks for your wonderful recipe. It helped me to remember how my mother made them. It has that same wonderful taste. (though she browned them in a pan) The only thing I added to the recipe was an equal amount of ground veal to the beef and pork per her recipe. She would wake me up on Sunday mornings with one of these delicacies under my nose and say “time to get up for church. What a reward.

  50. Tara M on February 22nd, 2009

    Thanks so much for the great recipe, I’m going to give it a shot for the first time ever.

    I’m Italian and I’ve never made a meatball, for being alive for 33 years, that’s a sin!

    I am glad everyone left helpful tips too!

  51. JB2theG on March 5th, 2009

    I made meatballs tonight for dinner. I made two separate recipes. THIS ONE ROCKED!!! The other was really good as well, but these were THE BEST! and MUCH easier to make.

    For my two recipes I used 1# of ground beef; 1# of ground pork and 1# of ground veal, then split it between the two recipes.

    I added Paprika that a friend brought to me from Hungary recently also some fresh parsley and extra garlic (since I had it for the other recipe) in addition to the dried parsley. Other than that I followed the recipe exactly and it was Perfect, Easy and Delicious!!!

    I will definitely be making these again. I got 12-13 decent sized meatballs out of this recipe.

    BON APPETITE!!!

  52. Mike R on March 6th, 2009

    i just finished dinner and wanted to say that these were the best meatballs i have tasted, i will definitely pass this on! THANK YOU

  53. Nia on March 12th, 2009

    I just happened to stumble across your blog while looking for a recipe for meatballs( I’ve been craving them for a whileee). I this is the first time I’ve ever made meatballs and I just wanted to let you know I’ll be making these for a more dinners to come. :)

  54. robin-m on March 13th, 2009

    This recipe was great! My meatballs always do something funky — fall apart or are too crumbly or too hard. These were perfect. Because I like spicy, I added about 1/3 cup of dried onion flakes and about 1/2 tsp of red pepper flakes. The recipe made 18 meatballs — I cooked all of them then froze half of them to heat up for sandwiches or pasta. Many thanks!

  55. Sabrina on March 20th, 2009

    I love to cook but have never made meatballs. I am hoping its ok to use some garlic powder instead of fresh garlic because thats what I have.
    Wish me luck.

  56. Gr8stogie on March 22nd, 2009

    These meatballs were delicious. Excellent recipe, easy to find ingredients and easy preparation. Thanks for sharing!

  57. Heidi on March 29th, 2009

    These meatballs reminded me of my(recently deceased) aunt Nuncy’s recipe- she used to put larger chunks of Italian bread soaked in milk and some mozzarella bits in hers, then baked on a full sheet pan. When I was young, we couldnt visit her without sitting at the table and eating some meatballs and sauce. What great memories you stirred up!

  58. Carol on March 29th, 2009

    any recommendations for tweaks on this recipe if im not using lean pork/beef? does it need more egg/breadcrumbs as a binder?

  59. Bobby on April 1st, 2009

    Carol – What exactly are you planning on using? No meat at all?

  60. Jessica on April 2nd, 2009

    How many is this recipe supposed to serve?

  61. Laura on April 2nd, 2009

    The flavor was VERY good. I used 85/15 ground chuck. However, even after baking them, draining the grease, and simmering them in marinara they were SO HEAVY. I might want to a mix of beef and ground chicken next time to decrease the fat. Also, salt content is a bit much.
    I DO like them, don’t get me wrong. I just need to modify a bit so they are not in my stomach 6 hours later!

  62. Bobby on April 3rd, 2009

    Jessica – I would say it serves about 4.

  63. Jerrilyn on April 7th, 2009

    Excited about making them, but curious to know the sauce you serve with it.
    I found one of yours on this site, but it calls for italian sausage.
    What would you make to go with these meatballs?

    Thank you!

  64. Bobby on April 8th, 2009

    Jerrilyn – You could use that sauce recipe, just leave out the italian sausage. I usually cheat and get a can of spaghetti sauce from the store :)

  65. scott on April 12th, 2009

    truely classics. authentic. great recipe.

  66. Anna on April 13th, 2009

    Me & my 11 year old daughter made these with my grandmothers Mothers Spagetti recipe and they go together so nice, thanks for the recipe
    ps awesome pics too, Sincerely, Anna,Md

  67. evelyn on April 15th, 2009

    Wat other recipes u have? Tryin out the meatball recipe, waitin 4 outcome, let u no da outcome

  68. Bobby on April 15th, 2009

    evelyn – many, take a look around. :)

  69. Anita on April 16th, 2009

    I have made a very similar recipe to this. I used a little beef broth on the pan, and it made great “drippings” to add to my sauce, using the renderings from the meatballs and the broth. It only takes about a can to make two cookie sheet pans… and the bonus is that it helps the meatballs not to stick…

  70. christina on April 22nd, 2009

    I made these last night, they were so flavorful! Thank you for posting this wonderful recipe, I finally found the perfect meatball recipe, and the ingredients were so simple (which is what I was looking for) and easy to make too. I will definately be keeping this recipe and using it in the future. My picky daughter even loved them. I was wondering, what does the milk do in the recipe? I was a little unsure of adding it, so I only added 1/4 cup, and it started to look a little mushy so I stopped, but they still came out good. I also didn’t add the oregano or parsley, and only a little minced garlic but still wonderful.

  71. Bobby on April 22nd, 2009

    christina – milk is used to keep them from drying out. I hope you enjoy the recipe.

  72. Steve on April 22nd, 2009

    This turned out to be the best meatball recipe I’ve every tried. I used beef with veal instead of pork. I will try pork next time. I also opted for 1/2 the salt. Rather than baking, I chose to simmered them separately in a generic pasta sauce. I didn’t use my cherished homemade sauce in case the fat drippings changed the flavor. They were so delicious. My family insists we have ended our search for the perfect meatball. Thanks for this!

  73. Pat on April 22nd, 2009

    Yes, these are indeed the best! Made them last night and the family raved over them.

    Thank you.

  74. Cindy on April 28th, 2009

    I’m very new to the whole concept of home cooking and preserving food in the fridge/freezer (my husband and I order out every night). How long are the meatballs good for in the freezer? Also, are regular ziplock bags enough? Or will I need to get the freezer types? Lastly, if I have leftover spaghetti, how long will that last in the fridge? *sorry for my ignorance on the basic stuff

  75. Wendy on April 28th, 2009

    I am planning to cook meatball tomorrow. I will use ground turkey instead, should the cooking time be adjusted? Can I just simmer meatballs in sauce for 40 mins? The taste is still great, right? Thanks!

  76. Bobby on April 29th, 2009

    Cindy – I would say you can keep the meatballs for up to 3 months frozen. Regular ziplocks should work just fine but I am not positive. I personally do not like left over spaghetti noodles, if they are more than a day old, I would make new ones. I hope this helps and you enjoy the recipe.

    Wendy – Yes, you can just simmer them for 40 minutes.

  77. Warren on May 2nd, 2009

    I totally enjoyed this receipe, it is great and easy to make.

  78. tom on May 10th, 2009

    this is an awesome recipe. i made these for my mother for mothers day. by far the best meatballs ive ever had. i added a 1/4 cup chopped onions for a little extra flavor. but what a great meatball. thank you!

  79. Johnny on May 12th, 2009

    Hi i just had a question, could you brown the meatballs in a frying pan with a little oil and then add them to the spaghetti sauce?

  80. Bobby on May 13th, 2009

    Johnny – Yes, you can.

  81. Buddah on May 18th, 2009

    Just wanted to let you know your the best!! I have made these for my gf like 4 times already… she LOVES THEM… and i always use your recipe and the always come out great… thanks again!!

  82. miz_afzan on May 21st, 2009

    hai..can i substitute the parmesan cheese with mozarella cheese?coz i had none..and may i know whats the different?thanks for your help.

  83. Bobby on May 21st, 2009

    miz_afzan – You could but the flavor and texture would be different. Parmesan cheese is finely grated and dry. Where as mazerella is going to melt. They are also of course, different flavors. Over-all, mazerella will taste good in these meatballs.

  84. maria on May 30th, 2009

    I LOVE DA MEATBALLS SO DOES DA KIDS!I MADE MEATBALL SANDWICHES AN THEY JUST MUNCHED THEM DOWN(;

  85. Michelle on June 1st, 2009

    I have made this recipe three times now, and my boyfriend absolutely loves them, and requests them! Awesome recipe! Thanks!

  86. Claire on June 3rd, 2009

    These meatballs are MAGIC! My personal tweak was to add the filling of 2 fresh italian sausages and use a big handful of chopped fresh italian flat leaf parsley. Oven baked in home made tomato sauce with chunks for fresh mozarella melting throughout, torn fresh basil leaves with scatter of parmesan on top.

  87. Sheskis on June 7th, 2009

    These are easy and absolutely fabulous!! You could use these with myriad sauces, make little bitty ones for appetizers or big herkamer ones for a big plate of spaghetti and meatballs. Thanks for the great recipe!

  88. Wendy on June 11th, 2009

    Added a little spice (I’m from New Orleans) and these meatballs ROCKED!

  89. Kevin on June 12th, 2009

    Did this one last night with 1 lb. group turkey and 1 lb. groud italian sausage. Came out perfect, even our two picky boys ate it.

  90. Jacque on June 14th, 2009

    I love your recipe for Italian Meatballs. I substituted fresh oregano and parsley from the garden.

    I bake these first so I won’t have so much grease from the meat in my sauce. Bake for twenty minutes, drain and add to sauce.

  91. erika on June 14th, 2009

    These balls were the greatest ever.I put fresh chopped herbs from my garden and the flavor was wonderful.

  92. Mindy on June 15th, 2009

    These were really good. I used 2-1-1 ratio of ground turkey to sweet Italian sausage to ground chuck. I used half-n-half instead of milk because I didn’t want to use skim (what we usually drink). I added some fresh spring onions and herbs from the garden and I thought that gave it a freshness.

    When they were finished baking, I couldn’t stand to throw away all of that delicious fond (the brown bits in the bottom of the pan), so I made a milk gravy on the stove top right in my pan. ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS! These may or may not make it into the marinara sauce because they’re so good in their own gravy.

    Thanks for a great recipe!

  93. Ellie on June 15th, 2009

    waiting for them to bake….looking good so far…first time making them…Wow great mix to work with…I was amazed i use my hands and I never touch raw meat….Thanks

  94. Cheryl on June 15th, 2009

    Bobby,

    My husband loved your meatballs and I was so lucky I found the recipe again. I am making them again tonight for dinner. Yes, I printed the recipe this time.

    Thanks again

  95. Patty on June 18th, 2009

    They ARE the best!! I thought “meatballs are meatballs”…….but these were great. Thanks!

  96. Buffy on June 19th, 2009

    Hey Bobby, Thanks so much for the recipe! The meatballs are amazing. The simplicity makes it an anytime meal and the flavor was perfectly balanced! Great job!!!!

  97. T on June 22nd, 2009

    Bobby,
    I just read through the posts and I know you recommend baking the meatballs, but if I bake them as stated in the recipe for 25 minutes, do I still simmer them in the sauce for 40 minutes, or less? I am making them for the 2nd time tonight, and both times I have browned them in pan with olive oil, then slow cooked w/sauce in crock pot.. but next time I would like to try baking them. I am just not sure how long to cook them, is there a way to tell if a meatball is done. I have just been guessing with the crock pot. Thank you!

  98. Naushin on June 26th, 2009

    I tried the recipe and we all loved it..specially my son! Thanks a lot! :)

  99. Bobby on June 27th, 2009

    T – Sorry, This comment got sent my spam folder. You can either bake for 25 minutes or simmer for 40, you would do one of the other, not both. What is good to do is a combination of baking and simmering. You could brown them in the oven and then finish cooking them with a simmer in the sauce.

  100. Crystal on July 7th, 2009

    Four year old approved!!! Delicious! Instead of the ground beef/pork I used ground turkey. They were wonderful. I have been unsuccessful in the past at making meatballs that actually held together-these were perfect. I will definitely make them again!

  101. Kimberley on July 9th, 2009

    Thank You for a great recipe. I hate to spend time scouring the internet for a recipe only to pick one that winds up being average. Your testimonial won me over and I tried them. This is the best meatball recipe I have ever made. I also love that it makes a large batch. I baked some for dinner and froze the rest. I love to cook in bulk like that.

  102. Becca on July 9th, 2009

    Thank you for sharing this recipe. I used it a few weeks ago — it was my first time making meatballs — and they were so good that I’m about to make them again tonight! Definitely a keeper, thanks again.

  103. Aaron on July 11th, 2009

    Howdy,
    THanks for the meatball recipe! I’m about to pop the little nuggets into the oven, so we’ll see how it goes. I had every ingredient except the cheese, so that got left out. I also gave it Emeril’s BAM! — a little organic ancho chile powder — so that should liven up the party just a bit.

    Have a great weekend!

  104. Maritza on July 15th, 2009

    This was my first time making meatballs and they were great! Me and my family loved it! Thanks!

  105. Kimberley on July 15th, 2009

    Bobby,
    I made these last week and loved them. I separated them into 3 servings. I vaccum sealed the portions and put them in my freezer. I did this uncooked. How should I cook these next time since they are frozen uncooked? Would it be better next time I do this recipe to cook first and then freeze? Thanks for your help, can’t wait to check out some of your other recipes.
    Kimberley

  106. Bobby on July 16th, 2009

    Kimberley – I see no issues with freezing raw meatballs. Just put them into the sauce and simmer or into the oven. Of course, the cooking times will be longer. Unless there is alot of extra ice on the outside of the meatballs, I don’t see any need to defrost them first. If next time you want to cook the meatballs first, they still freeze well and will be good.

  107. tom in NJ on July 17th, 2009

    I think I messed up and used too much salt?! Directions called for 2 teaspoonfuls but that seemed too much?! I going to have to try it again with much less salt.

  108. KimP on July 22nd, 2009

    amazing meatballs! I had never made meatballs until this recipe, and they were a hit! my boyfriend loved them. thanks for the recipe!

  109. sistawoman on August 2nd, 2009

    I just put these in the oven. I made two modifications to it. I did not add milk but a little bit of olive oil and i added mozzarella cheese.

    i will let you know how they turn out.

  110. Megan on August 3rd, 2009

    Tried the recipe and absolutely loved it! Instead of baking it, I just added it to a saucepan with 1 jar of speghetti sauce. It was delicious! My fiance enjoyed them as well!

  111. tyler on August 4th, 2009

    i will try this dish.

  112. Patricia on August 9th, 2009

    Bobby,

    These meatballs truly are awesome! I was out of bread crumbs so I crushed up some garlic croutons. My granddaughter Jessica actually made the meatballs while I read the ingredients to her. Thanks!

    Patricia

  113. mollie on August 17th, 2009

    hey, i am 15 and just starting 2 cook. how many will this make because i am trying 2 make a 3 coursed meal 4 a family of 4. is it a expensive meal??? cheers bobby

  114. Bobby on August 17th, 2009

    mollie – it is not very expensive, if you cook alot you probably have several of the ingredients. I would also say this recipe serves 4 people!

  115. Lisa on August 17th, 2009

    Yum! The whole family enjoyed it…that’s quite an accomplishment! Thanks for sharing!

  116. Karina on August 17th, 2009

    Bobby – after reading all these positive posts, I decided to double the recipe because I was afraid my family of 5 would love the meatballs and I wouldn’t have enough. It fed us all, PLUS I had at least 15 meatballs left over which I froze for future use. I rolled them about the diameter of a quarter. As everyone has said, they were the best I have ever tasted, even better than store bought. I used the oven method and they didn’t shrink at all. The only modification I made was reducing the amount of salt I used. Thank you so much for this recipe. I am going to look for more of your recipes.

    Karina

  117. Chris on August 18th, 2009

    Perfect recipe – succinct and with just the right number of ingredients. I added some basil and thyme in lieu of the oregano, and used Romano cheese instead, as that’s what I had. The result was delicious.

  118. Kimberly on August 25th, 2009

    YUMMY!! I made these as is and they were perfect! Easy to make and delicious

  119. Lan on August 25th, 2009

    I just made these amazing meatballs. My extremely picky 2 year old keeps running in and asking me for more meatballs! Bless you – bless you!!

  120. Matt on August 29th, 2009

    Just made these with my gf…absolutely amazing with my homade Sunday gravy(tomato sauce) thanks!!!!

  121. Bridgette on August 30th, 2009

    Awesome!Awesome!Awesom recipe. If you are looking for the perfect recipe look no further. I always search the web for the perfect recipes and I read all the comments and they were not lying. These meatballs are the BEST!! I immediately had to try one right out of the oven. I used turkey and they came out great. The taste the texture the seasonings. These meatballs are the best.

  122. Greta on September 2nd, 2009

    Absolutely delicious! I added some oregano and thyme in addition to the parsley. Used the meatballs for subs and received rave reviews! Thanks for the recipe!!

  123. carry on September 7th, 2009

    Delicious! Thanks so much for this recipe.

  124. Evelyn on September 12th, 2009

    Truly loooove ur meatball recipe!!!! Can u please send me other recipes that you may have…thank you so much!!!!

  125. Tiffany on September 16th, 2009

    Wow!! read all your reviews….I’m making the meatballs tonight, can’t wait!! They look amazing, and sound easy and delicious:)

  126. k bauch on September 16th, 2009

    oh my LORD! SOOOOOOOO Good! Thank you! I am THE worst cook, and I’m getting MAJOR KUDOS from my husband and kids! THANK YOU!!!!!

  127. Bobby on September 16th, 2009

    Wow, I am so glad everyone is enjoying these meatballs! Thanks.

  128. Monica on September 19th, 2009

    Fantastic recipe! Thanks so much for sharing. These are delicious. I’m an accomplished home cook who demands more from my recipes and these lived up to my hopes. You are my kitchen hero.

  129. Tanjia on September 20th, 2009

    I’m going to try your recipe tonight. I wanted to have something different from the usual frozen meatballs for spaghetti dinner. I just did have a couple of questions before I destroyed your recipe. :(
    1. Is there a difference between regular breadcrumbs and italian breadcrumbs? I have regular but not italian will that make a difference in the quality or taster of the meatballs?

    2. What kind of milk do you use. Will any milkfat % work, because we use skim. I’m was just wondering if it should be whole or 2% or something.

    Please let me know….
    Thanks
    ~Tanjia~

  130. Bobby on September 21st, 2009

    Tanjia – Sorry for the delayed responce, if you made them, I hope they turned out well. To shed some light on your questions-

    1. Yes, there is a difference. Regular bread crumbs are not seasoned, where italian breadcrumbs are seasoned with italian seasonings. So yes, it will make a difference in the taste. However, even with regular breadcrumbs, they should be good.

    2. I usually use 2 percent but I don’t see why skim milk wouldnt work fine.

    I hope this awnsers your questions and you enjoy the recipe!

  131. Tanjia on September 27th, 2009

    Thanks Bobby! I did make them that night. I used my regular breadcrumbs (to get rid of it) but added a little parmesan cheese and romano cheese, Mrs. Dash Italian Medley and a little garlic powder. They turned out great…a little salty…but I think my 5 yr old added more salt when I went to wash my hands. LOL

    I baked them for a few minutes to brown them and then I placed them to the sauce and simmered the rest of the time. It was delicious. Thanks for the recipe and thanks for the response.

  132. Kim on September 27th, 2009

    I can’t thank you enough for this recipe. I made these delicious meatballs with spaghetti and marinara and everyone loved them. Then, we had them with rice and brown gravy and everyone loved them even more.

    They are now our standard Sunday family dinner item.

    My family loves you!!

  133. Rexque on September 28th, 2009

    Tried this recipe tonite – they where awsome but will cut back some on the garlic next time. Thank you for sharing this recipe.

  134. Sue on October 5th, 2009

    Very Good!! I made a big batch the first time around and froze some meatballs. Yesterday morning I put 2 jars of spag sauce, some grated parma cheese and 10 meatballs in the slower cooker and turned it on 3 and let it simmer all day! It was great to come home to a great smell and dinner was almost done. YUM!!

  135. Serena on October 6th, 2009

    I tried thias meatball recipe tonight and my son (picky eater) loved them. I didn’t have all of the ingredients on hand, so I ended up substituting grated mozzerella for the parmesan and I left out the egg, and it still turned out fantastic. Love these meatballs and will be making them again. Thanks for sharing!

  136. Natasha on October 6th, 2009

    Now i have been making meatballs for a longggggg time!! But this recipe is hands down THE BEST i have ever tried!! Thank you so much for this recipe!! Everyone had three helpings!! :o )

  137. Della Smith on October 8th, 2009

    I couldn’t wait to try them after reading all the comments. They were easy and very yummy. I had to tell you the best compliment: my picky boyfriend ate one before I got home from work– straight out of the refrigerator, cold, no sauce, and pronounced them delicious!

  138. Chris on October 9th, 2009

    All this positive feedback has inspired me to make these for my family. I’m excited to try them, thanks for sharing!

  139. Hillary on October 16th, 2009

    This was my first time ever making meatballs, and of course it was for a surprise dinner for my boyfriend. I was terrified that they’d turn out horrible because I didn’t have half of the ingredients, so I kind of improvised.

    Instead of italian breadcrumbs, I crumbled regular bread; garlic cloves, I used garlic powder; no milk, parmesan, oregano, or parsley, so I used Italian Seasoning and a little bit of water (I’ve seen water used in meatballs to substitute milk). I simmered them in Bertolli merlot & portabello mushroom sauce and poured the whole thing over angel hair spaghetti.

    I got 20 meatballs out of this recipe and every single one was delicious! I’m saving this recipe so that when I DO have all the ingredients, I can try it again and taste the difference.

    Either way, thanks for such a straightforward recipe and for helping my first meatball experience be such a scrumptious one!

  140. Paula on October 25th, 2009

    My father has been cooking Italian Sauce, meatballs, lasagna, baked ziti, you name it all my life. But when he passed away this year, we had to start figuring out for ourselves how he made all those items. This is it! the key to forming the balls, (as my mother instructed) is to keep your hands wet with water. And FRY them – not bake! Thanks for the direction on the ingredients!

  141. Thomas on October 30th, 2009

    Could you possibly NOT imbed all questions and comments in the recipe section. I printed 23 pages to get this recipe!

  142. Bobby on October 30th, 2009

    Thomas- All you need to do is click on PRINT THIS POST in the upper right hand corner (right by the post title) of each recipe.

  143. Adrian on November 3rd, 2009

    Prolly the best meat ball ive eaten, better than my friends grandma’s, my first time cooking meat balls and they tasted great!!! simple delicious tasting recipe.

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