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    Home » Dinners » Old World Authentic Italian Meatballs

    Published: Sep 28, 2020 · Modified: Feb 26, 2022 by Nancy · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Old World Authentic Italian Meatballs

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    These authentic Italian meatballs are the real deal! This well-loved family recipe, originating in Italy and passed down through generations, will make you think you're dining in a little Italian village.

    Two dozen meatballs piled into a blue bowl on top of a red checkerboard tablecloth

    The Search for Authentic Italian Recipes

    On a quest for authentic old Italian recipes, I called on my neighbor Joel, who grew up in an Italian-American family in Rochester, New York. He told me that his mom, Mary Ann, had put together a cookbook for him of his grandmother's from-scratch recipes. He offered to lend it to me and I nearly broke my legs running down the stairs to get it after he dropped it off. The three ring binder she compiled is a treasure trove of magnificent Italian recipes, and I couldn't wait to dive in.

    The binder began with the most loving note from Mary Ann. She explained that although her family has never followed recipes while cooking, she wrote down and quantified her mom's Italian heritage recipes as a legacy to her children and grandchildren. I was so touched when I read it, because I could tell she feels the same way about preserving family recipes as I do. Families bond over food, sharing favorite meals for holidays, celebrations, Sunday gatherings, and even funerals. Smelling these foods while they're cooking and taking the first bite can bring back a flood of memories and emotions.

    Typed Recipe Card with Italian Meatballs Recipe
    Mary Ann's typed recipe from her handmade cookbook
    A pile of meatballs in a white bowl, topped with Italian red sauce
    Authentic Italian meatballs in Sunday sauce

    These meatballs were part of the family's Sunday Sauce recipe, and ideally should be served with that. If you will be having them with Sunday sauce, brown them in a skillet without cooking them all the way through. Then transfer to the pot of sauce, where they will simmer for 3 hours until they are thoroughly cooked. The meatballs add flavor to the sauce, and vice versa. A winning combination! The meatballs and sauce can also be used to make a tray or two of Authentic Italian Lasagna, which is absolutely out of this world!

    Ingredients for Authentic Italian Meatballs

    Photo of ingredients needed for Italian meatballs

    You will need the following ingredients to make these authentic Italian meatballs:

    • Ground beef
    • Ground pork
    • Eggs
    • Pecorino Romano cheese, grated
    • Fresh parsley, chopped
    • Garlic powder
    • Salt
    • Pepper
    • Italian breadcrumbs
    • Milk

    For best results, put everything into a large bowl, adding the breadcrumbs and milk last. Then mix with your hands until well combined, and form into meatballs. It doesn't get much easier than that! This recipe will yield roughly 2 dozen 1-½ - 2 inch meatballs. Joel said his grandma made really large meatballs, roughly 2-½ - 3 inches. If you decide to do that, this recipe will yield approximately 12-18 meatballs.

    You can use either all beef or a mixture of pork and beef. In all transparency, Italian recipes often include some veal in the meatballs, and Mary Ann's recipe mentions it as an option. I am opposed to eating veal so I do not purchase it. Joel told me he told me he uses 1 pound of ground beef and ½ pound of ground pork. That's how I made them, and they were perfect! For the best flavor you should use either ground chuck (80% lean) or close to it. I used 85% lean ground beef and the flavor was excellent.

    These meatballs can be browned in a skillet, cooked through in a skillet, browned in an oven, or baked completely in an oven. Because they are normally served with Authentic Italian Sunday Sauce, it's best to brown them in the skillet and then remove them to a platter and use the skillet drippings to cook the sauce.

    Meatballs piled into a blue bowl on top of a red checkered tablecloth

    Old World Authentic Italian Meatballs

    Nancy Blackstone
    These authentic Italian meatballs are the real deal! This well-loved family recipe, originating in Italy and passed down through generations, will make you think you're dining in a little Italian village.
    4.80 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 1 hr 30 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 45 mins
    Course Main Dish
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 24 Meatballs
    Calories 120 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 pound ground chuck 80/20 mix
    • ½ pound ground pork
    • 2 large eggs
    • ¾ cup grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese
    • ½ cup chopped fresh parsley or ¼ cup dried parsley
    • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
    • 1 tablespoon salt
    • 1 tablespoon pepper
    • 1 ¼ cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs
    • ½ cup milk

    Instructions
     

    • Add first 8 ingredients to a large mixing bowl.
    • Add breadcrumbs to the mixing bowl and top with milk. Using your hands, mix all ingredients together for several minutes until well combined, then form into balls.

    If you are cooking in sauce:

    • Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-low heat in skillet. Add meatballs and brown on all sides, turning frequently to avoid scorching. Cook just until fully browned, then remove and cook in pasta sauce for at least 90 minutes, until fully cooked through.

    If you are baking:

    • Line large baking sheet with parchment paper and place meatballs on top of parchment paper. Bake in 400 degree preheated oven for 20 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees on a meat thermometer.

    If you are pan frying:

    • Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-low heat in a large skillet. Add meatballs and cook, turning frequently to brown evenly and avoid scorching. Cook 15-20 minutes depending on the size of the meatballs, until internal temperature is 165 degrees on a meat thermometer.

    Notes

    If the meat mixture is too dry, add another egg, or add milk or water by the tablespoon and mix in until it reaches desired level of moisture.
    If the meat mixture is too wet, add breadcrumbs by the tablespoon and mix in until it reaches desired consistency.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 120kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 8gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 38mgSodium: 451mgPotassium: 122mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 175IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 64mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword Authentic Italian Meatballs, Authentic Italian spaghetti and meatballs, food for a crowd, food for a group, grandma's lasagna recipe, Sunday Sauce and Meatballs
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    Nancy and Bentley

    Hi, I'm Nancy! Welcome to Flourchild where I share classic mid-century recipes from the 1940's - 1970's. I feature many vintage handwritten recipes, and provide modern shortcuts and a variety of healthy and special diet-friendly versions whenever possible. Join me in exploring the delicious flavors and from-scratch cooking techniques of our past!

    More about me →

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