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Easy Homemade Meatballs

February 28, 2023 By Patricia 34 Comments

Easy homemade meatballs are one of my favorite things to serve for Sunday dinner. These meatballs hit the spot any night of the week as part of a hearty, welcoming meal.Easy homemade meatballs piled on your favorite pasta makes a hearty, classic meal.

Homemade meatballs were a constant for Sunday lunch when I was growing up. Lunch came after church, around 1pm, and the meatballs were served with rigatoni, sometimes with pieces of sausage mixed in the sauce too.

On the dining room table would also be homemade bread – fluffy on the inside and chewy on the outside – along with sharp-tasting cheeses, sometimes roasted peppers, salad (served at the end of the meal), grapes, and wine for the grownups.

Easy Homemade Meatballs

This recipe makes about three dozen meatballs and you can definitely freeze some to enjoy later. After cooking and cooling them, pack them away in sauce and tuck them in the freezer for another time. When you’re hungry down the road, pull them out and warm them up.

My grandma made the best meatballs, with my mom coming in a very close second behind her. My husband has spent a lot of time making meatballs with my Italian mom, and now he makes them (almost) as good as she does!

My husband has her meatballs recipe down pat and, in fact, my mom likes that he has taken over when it comes to cooking. At 91 years old, she deserves for someone else to cook!

When it comes to technique, there really isn’t anything difficult to do to make these hearty meatballs.

Steps to Make Easy Homemade Meatballs

  • After mixing the ingredients together, you shape them into balls that are about 1-1/2-inches in diameter.
  • The next step is to brown the meatballs in a skillet (no oil added) over medium heat. You’ll do this in a few batches.
  • This next step takes a slower pace: brown the meatballs in a large skillet over medium heat, turning them occasionally so they brown up all around.
  • Once the meatballs are browned, it’s time for a slow simmer in a fabulous sauce. We used our favorite jarred marinara sauce for this recipe, and doctored it up a bit with a little red wine, more garlic and onion, a touch of beef broth and a little tomato paste.

Easy homemade meatballs are, as the name implies, a no-fuss hearty staple to have in your recipe box. I was surprised that I haven’t shared this recipe here in all these years!

I have a few other meatball recipes like Spanish-Style Meatballs (a reader’s favorite!) and these Mozzarella-Stuffed Meatball Sliders. But no basic, homemade meatballs recipe!

Take note: If you have leftovers after making my easy homemade meatballs, use them to make these fun Leftover Spaghetti & Meatball Panini. 

This recipe makes about 36 meatballs so that means you’ll have plenty to feed a crowd, or to enjoy as leftovers for another meal.

You’ll love these easy homemade meatballs to brighten your meals any night of the week. Let me know if you make these and let me know how they turned out!

Patricia - Grab a Plate

Yields Makes about 36-40 meatballs

Easy Homemade Meatballs
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5 based on 11 review(s)

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Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 pound ground Italian sausage
  • 1/2 yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra to sprinkle over when serving)
  • 1/4 cup parsley, chopped (extra for garnish)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Combine the beef and sausage in a large bowl.
  2. Add the onion, garlic, eggs, breadcrumbs, parsley, Parmesan cheese, salt, and black and red pepper.
  3. Mix all the ingredients together until combined. Line a few baking sheets with parchment paper.
  4. Use your hands to shape the mixture into 1-1/2-inch balls and place on the pans.
  5. Move the baking sheets to near your stove. Heat a large skillet on medium heat.
  6. When hot, add several of the meatballs to the skillet in batches, browning them all around.
  7. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
  8. Add the marinara sauce to a large Dutch oven or pan over low heat.
  9. If you’d like, you can choose to enhance the jarred sauce. I added 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 1 cup beef stock, 1 cup red wine, 1 garlic clove (minced), and 2 tablespoons diced onion to the sauce. Stir to mix.
  10. When warm, add the meatballs to the sauce and simmer over low heat, partially covered, for about an hour.
  11. Remove and serve with your favorite pasta, garnished with a little parsley and extra grated Parmesan cheese.
7.8.1.2
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https://www.azgrabaplate.com/easy-homemade-meatballs/

Filed Under: Dinner, Lunch, Recipes Tagged With: classic recipes, easy meatball recipes, easy meatballs, Italian meatballs, Italian recipes, Sunday dinner recipes

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Comments

  1. nic says

    February 28, 2023 at 9:13 am

    How big of a jarred marinara sauce to use?
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 10, 2023 at 7:47 am

      Thanks for bringing this to my attention! We used a 24-ounce jar.
      Reply
  2. Beth says

    March 2, 2023 at 3:02 pm

    I can't wait to try these! There's nothing better than homemade meatballs. If I can make them without a hassle, even better!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 10, 2023 at 7:46 am

      Thanks, Beth! I know you'll love them!
      Reply
  3. Erin | Dinners, Dishes and Dessert says

    March 2, 2023 at 6:27 pm

    Sounds incredibly delicious! Adding on our must make list!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 10, 2023 at 7:46 am

      Thanks, Erin! I hope you love them!
      Reply
  4. Amanda says

    March 2, 2023 at 7:34 pm

    Homemade meatballs are always so much better. This recipe is absolutely perfect!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 10, 2023 at 7:46 am

      Thanks very much, Amanda!
      Reply
  5. megane says

    March 3, 2023 at 5:53 am

    Meatballs are my favorite meal and these meatballs with Italian sausage are epic! So much flavor and still so easy to make. We loved the leftovers in toasties the next day for lunch. Absolutely recommend!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 10, 2023 at 7:45 am

      Yay! So glad you enjoyed these (and again the next day)!
      Reply
  6. Sophie says

    March 3, 2023 at 7:11 am

    Making your meatballs was a breeze, and the results were simply delicious - what a treat!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 10, 2023 at 7:45 am

      Thanks, Sophie! Glad you tried them and enjoyed!
      Reply
  7. Amanda says

    March 3, 2023 at 9:04 am

    Love these meatballs! They came out so tender, and I love the flavor the Parmesan adds. Absolute comfort food perfection!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 10, 2023 at 7:45 am

      Thank you, Amanda! They're a favorite of mine!
      Reply
  8. Sandra says

    March 3, 2023 at 11:03 am

    I love how tasty and easy this recipe is!! It was a huge hit at my house! Winnner!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 10, 2023 at 7:44 am

      That's great news, Sandra! Win!
      Reply
  9. Catalina says

    March 3, 2023 at 1:15 pm

    My fmily goes crazy over meatballs! I am making these for our Sunday dinner!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 10, 2023 at 7:44 am

      That's awesome, Catalina! Enjoy!
      Reply
  10. Mikayla says

    March 4, 2023 at 10:19 am

    Delicious and juicy meatballs. They are good enough to eat all alone with a salad or on pasta or rice.
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 10, 2023 at 7:44 am

      Thank you, Mikayla! Yes, I eat them straight from the fridge the next day sometimes!
      Reply
  11. katerina @ diethood.com says

    March 4, 2023 at 12:41 pm

    I can't wait to try these! They sound incredibly delicious!!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 10, 2023 at 7:43 am

      I hope you love them, Katerina!
      Reply
  12. Beti | easyweeknightrecipes says

    March 4, 2023 at 12:43 pm

    My family would love these! They are SO delicious!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 10, 2023 at 7:43 am

      Thanks so much, Beti!
      Reply
  13. Cathleen says

    March 4, 2023 at 6:49 pm

    I love these meatballs so much!! I can't stop making them! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe :)
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 10, 2023 at 7:43 am

      Glad you love them as much as I do! :)
      Reply
  14. Loreto and Nicoletta says

    March 5, 2023 at 12:34 am

    You have brought back many memories for us being Italian. Meatballs cooked in tomato sauce are just the best. Wow, your mom is 91. That is incredible, I always love hearing that people are living a long and happy life. Your right nice to cook for our parents, and so great that the recipe is passed on to your husband who sounds very passionate about these meatballs. We can come close to the recipes but our parents and nonies have something special in their hands. Thank you so much for sharing!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 10, 2023 at 7:43 am

      Yes, I love that food can bring back floods of good memories! I keep them close! Glad this brightened your day!
      Reply
  15. Kushigalu says

    March 5, 2023 at 9:25 am

    I am drooling over these delicious meatballs. Homemade is always the best. Thanks for sharing.
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 10, 2023 at 7:42 am

      Thanks so much, Kushigalu!
      Reply
  16. Hayley says

    March 5, 2023 at 12:58 pm

    Love this recipe and the flavours! I have also recommended it to friends who cannot wait to try it out!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 10, 2023 at 7:41 am

      Thanks so much, Hayley! Hope everyone enjoys them!
      Reply
  17. Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

    March 5, 2023 at 6:01 pm

    Homemade meatballs are the best! And I have to agree grandmothers make the best recipes. I made some to make as a sandwich and my boys loved it.
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      March 10, 2023 at 7:41 am

      That's awesome! I love family recipes, for sure!
      Reply

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I'm Patricia

Welcome to Grab a Plate!

Growing up surrounded by my Italian family it was always, "grab a plate" whenever anyone came to visit. Food was always a celebration, even everyday meals, and I like it that way. I try to make each meal memorable with my recipes for mainly meatless, mostly healthy, and easy-to-make dishes (with sweet treats in between).

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