Go Back Email Link
–+ servings

The BEST Meatballs!

Tasty meatballs filled with cheese and garlic, these meatballs are delicious, easy to make, and will become a family favorite!
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 38 meatballs
Calories 135 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • ½ lb ground pork
  • ½ lb ground veal
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup Freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese
  • 1 ½ tbsp flat parsley, chopped
  • 1-5 cloves garlic, chopped
  • kosher salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups bread crumbs
  • 4 cups lukewarm water
  • 1 cup extra virgin olive oil only if cooking on stove

Instructions
 

  • Grate cheese, chop parsley, peel and chop garlic cloves.
  • Combine beef, veal, and pork, eggs,cheese, parsley, garlic and salt and pepper to taste and bread crumbs. Slowly add water in to mixture, mixing well after each addition. It will be very moist, but that is what you want.
  • Use medium or large scoop to shape into balls. 
  • FREEZING:  To freeze the meatballs raw, place them in a freezer-safe zip top bag and lay flat in freezer, so they do not stick together.  You can then take out what you need for cooking later. 
  • STOVE-TOP:  Heat oil in a large sauté pan. When oil is very hot but not smoking, cook meatballs in batches, do not overcrowd the pan. Sauté 2-3 minutes per side, then reduce heat and cook 10-15 minutes more, flipping occasionally, until cooked through. Alternatively, you can put them in a pot of sauce after they are nicely browned for 15 minutes on low heat until cooked through.
  • OVEN: Preheat oven to 400⁰ F; place meatballs on stone or sheet pan, and bake 20-25 minutes, until cooked through.
  • AIR FRYER (BEST and EASIEST Method): 
    Place meatballs on air fryer trays spritzed with olive oil. Set to AIR FRY, 18 minutes, press START.  Switch trays at the halfway time.  If you like them crisper, adjust the time accordingly.
    IF YOU ARE AIR FRYING FROZEN MEATBALLS:  Adjust the time to 25minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 135kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 6gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 28mgSodium: 130mgPotassium: 90mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 0.4gVitamin A: 42IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 44mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!