Juicy Italian Meatballs

Submitted by Chef Gorete

"These meat balls are made extra soft and juicy by using bread instead of breadcrumbs. Use your favorite homemade tomato sauce recipe or try the BASIL TOMATO SAUCE #447975 ."

 

• Ready In: 1hr
• Ingredients: 12
• Serves: 4-6

ingredients

• 1 cup of diced sandwich white bread, lightly packed
• 1 small onion, grated
• 14 ounces ground beef
• 3 ounces ground pork
• 1 large egg
• 1⁄4 cup parsley, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1⁄4 cup parmigiano-reggiano cheese or 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 3⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cups of your favorite tomato sauce

directions

1. Remove crust from bread and dice into small pieces.
2. In a large bowl, grate the onion using a standard box grater until you have about 1/2 cup of onion and juices.
3. Add the bread to the onions, mixing until the juices thoroughly soaks the bread. Set aside for several minutes.
4. Add the remaining ingredients (except for the oil and tomato sauce) and mix well.
5. Measure out a heaped tablespoon and roll lightly to form a ball.
6. Heat the oil in a large non stick frying pan over medium heat. Add the meatballs and brown all over, about 3-4 minutes. Carefully transfer the partially cooked meatballs onto a plate.
7. Add your favorite tomato sauce to the pan and heat. Add the meatballs and it's juices to the tomato sauce and cook for 10 minutes or until the meat balls are cooked through, turning and stirring occasionally.
8. Cook your pasta of choice while the meatballs are cooking.

9. NOTES:

10. You can substitute other breads (no crusts) for the sandwich bread or if you prefer, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs.
11. Feel free to use 1 lb (500g) beef instead of the beef/pork mixture.