Best Mini Meatballs Recipes

MINI MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a large bowl or mixer, thoroughly mix the beef, pork, breadcrumbs, milk, parsley, eggs, garlic, onion and some salt and pepper. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
• Shape into meatballs and place on a foil-lined shallow baking pan. Bake 30 minutes for medium or 25 minutes for bite-size. Stick toothpicks in the finished meatballs to serve as an appetizer.

GRANDMA GUARNASCHELLI'S LASAGNA WITH MINI BEEF MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Make the sauce: In a medium skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and season with 1 tablespoon salt. Stir in the red pepper flakes and sugar, and cook for about 2 minutes. Then add the tomatoes, with their juices, and the oregano. Cook for a few minutes over high heat, stirring from time to time. Taste for seasoning, add the basil leaves, and remove from the heat.
• Make the meatballs: Put the beef and veal in a large bowl and spread the meat all over the bottom of the bowl and up the sides a little. (This will help you to distribute the seasonings evenly through the meat.) Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons salt. Then sprinkle the bread crumbs, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and parsley all over the meat and use your hands to mix the ingredients together. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and garlic. Drizzle the egg mixture over the meat. Mix the meat thoroughly with your hands.
• Test a meatball: Form 1 small meatball (about 1 inch in diameter) with your hands. Heat a splash of the canola oil in a small skillet over high heat. When the oil begins to smoke lightly, add the meatball, lower the heat, and cook it over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Taste for seasoning and texture. If it seems too wet, add some more bread crumbs to the mixture in the bowl. If it is too dry, add a splash of water. Adjust the seasoning of the mixture in the bowl as needed. Roll the remaining meat into balls; you should have about 40 very small meatballs.
• Cook the meatballs: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add half of the remaining canola oil. When the oil begins to smoke lightly, remove the pan from the heat and add half of the meatballs in a single layer, spreading them apart somewhat so they have a chance to brown instead of steaming. Return the pan to high heat and brown the meatballs, turning them so they brown all around, until medium-rare, 2 to 3 minutes. Use a slotted spoon or spatula to transfer them to a baking sheet lined with a kitchen towel to drain. Wipe out the skillet and repeat the process with the remaining canola oil and meatballs.
• Cook the pasta: Bring 6 quarts water to a rolling boil in a large pot over high heat and season with 1/2 cup salt. The pasta water should taste like seawater. Add the lasagna sheets, stirring with a slotted spoon to make sure they do not clump or stick to the bottom, and cook for 4 minutes. Drain in a colander, rinse under cold water, and drain again. The pasta should still be very firm to the touch. Separate the sheets carefully so they don't stick together.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Assemble the lasagna: Spoon a thin layer of the sauce over the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Arrange a layer of pasta sheets over the sauce. Sprinkle one-fourth of the mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmigiano-Reggiano over the pasta, and then add another thin layer of sauce. Dot the surface with about one-third of the meatballs, spacing them evenly. Repeat the layering process two more times. Add a final layer of pasta and top it with the remaining sauce and cheese.
• Bake the lasagna: Cover the dish tightly with foil and put it in the center of the oven. Bake for 45 minutes. Then raise the oven temperature to 450 degrees F and remove the foil. Bake the lasagna until the top browns slightly, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the lasagna from the oven and allow it to cool for 15 minutes or so before serving.

MINI MEATBALLS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine beef, bacon, parsley, garlic, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, egg, nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Shape mixture into 40 meatballs.
• Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet or on 2 large plates. Freeze 1 hour. Once frozen, transfer to an airtight container or resealable plastic bag; label and date.
• To use the meatballs straight from the freezer, preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place meatballs on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until cooked through, about 15 minutes.

ORECCHIETTE WITH MINI CHICKEN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes.
• In a medium bowl, stir together the bread crumbs, parsley, eggs, milk, ketchup, Romano cheese, and the salt and pepper. Add the chicken and gently stir to combine.
• Using a melon baller (or a teaspoon measure), form the chicken mixture into 3/4-inch pieces. With damp hands, roll the chicken pieces into mini meatballs.
• In a large (14-inch) skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add the meatballs and cook without moving until brown on the bottom, about 2 minutes. Turn the meatballs over and brown the other side, about 2 minutes longer. Add the chicken stock and tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Using a wooden spoon, scrape up the brown bits that cling to the bottom of the pan. Reduce heat to low and simmer until tomatoes are soft and meatballs are cooked through, about 5 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1 cup of the pasta water. Transfer pasta to a large serving bowl and add the Parmesan. Toss to lightly coat orecchiette, adding reserved pasta water, if needed, to loosen the pasta. Add the meatball mixture, mozzarella cheese, and 1/2 cup of the basil. Gently toss to combine. Garnish with the chopped basil.

MINI TURKEY MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Add the onion, garlic, egg, bread crumbs, ketchup, parsley, Parmesan, Pecorino, salt and pepper to a large bowl and blend. Mix in the turkey. Shape the turkey mixture into 1 1/4-inch-diameter meatballs. Place on a large plate or baking sheet.
• Heat the oil in a heavy large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and saute until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Turn off heat.
• Transfer the meatballs to a plate. Pour off any excess oil. Add the marinara sauce, about 3 cups. Return all the meatballs to the pan. Turn the heat to medium-low and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly and the flavors blend, 15 to 20 minutes. Season the sauce, to taste, with salt and pepper. Transfer the meatball mixture to a serving bowl. Serve with toothpicks.
• In a large casserole pot, heat oil over medium high heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until soft and translucent, about 2 minutes. Add celery and carrots and season with salt and pepper. Saute until all the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, basil, and bay leaves and simmer covered on low heat for 1 hour or until thick. Remove bay leaves and check for seasoning. If sauce still tastes acidic, add unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon at a time to round out the flavors.
• Add half the tomato sauce into the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. Continue with remaining tomato sauce.
• If not using all the sauce, allow it to cool completely and pour 1 to 2 cup portions into freezer plastic bags. This will freeze up to 6 months.

MINI MEATBALLS WITH RASPBERRY-BALSAMIC BARBECUE SAUCE

Steps:

• For the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, basil, parsley, milk, tomato paste, garlic, salt, pepper, egg, garlic and onions. Using a wooden spoon, stir to blend. Add the ground turkey and sausage meat. Using fingers, gently mix all the ingredients until thoroughly combined. Using a tablespoon measure, form the meat mixture into 1 to 1 1/4-inch balls (about 36 meatballs).
• In a large nonstick skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until well browned on all sides and cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
• For the sauce: In a food processor or blender, blend together the raspberries, ketchup, jam, sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, salt, pepper and lemon zest until smooth. Pour the sauce into a heavy medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook until slightly thickened, 6 to 7 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and cool for 10 minutes. Pour into a small serving bowl.
• Thread 1 meatball, 1 mango cube and 1 piece of radicchio leaf onto each skewer. Arrange the meatballs on a platter and serve the barbecue sauce alongside for dipping.

MINI MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix really well.
• Roll meat into 1" balls- at this point, you can either continue or freeze them for later use, providing your beef wasn't pre-frozen.
• Arrange the meatballs on a rack over a foil-lined pan (for easy clean-up).
• Bake in a 400ºF oven for about 10 minutes, or until meatballs are browned- you can also freeze them at this point, or use them in other dishes (or just eat them plain).

PENNE WITH VODKA SAUCE AND MINI MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain.
• Meanwhile, mix the beef, 1/4 cup parmesan, the breadcrumbs, egg, 1/2 cup basil, the minced garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl with your hands until just combined. Form into 3/4-inch meatballs (about 20). Grate the tomatoes into a medium bowl; discard the skins.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil, then the meatballs. Cook, turning, until browned on all sides, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the sliced garlic and cook until just golden, about 1 minute. Gradually add the vodka, then the grated tomatoes and cream. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens and the meatballs are cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper.
• Add the pasta and the remaining 1/4 cup basil to the skillet; toss, adding the reserved cooking water as needed to loosen. Remove from the heat and add the remaining 1/2 cup parmesan; toss.

ITALIAN MINI MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees.
• In medium bowl, combine all ingredients; shape into 3/4 inch balls.
• Place meatballs in 15X10 inch jelly roll pan.
• Bake 20 minutes or until brown.

MINI-MEATBALLS IN CRANBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, bread crumbs, parsley, eggs, garlic, onion powder, basil and pepper.
• Mix well but do not overwork or meat will become tough when cooked.
• Form into small balls the size of a walnut or smaller.
• Place meatballs in a slow oven of 300 degrees F and bake for 25 minutes.
• In the meantime, in a crock pot set at 325 degrees F, mix together the cranberry sauce (if you so desire, you can use jellied. I prefer the whole berry.) Add remaining sauce ingredients.
• When meatballs are baked, transfer them to the crock pot and stir into the sauce.
• Cook in crock pot for 1 hour.
• Lower heat to keep warm for serving.

MINI HOT DOGS 'N' MEATBALLS

Steps:

• In a 5-qt. slow cooker, combine all ingredients. Cover and cook on low until heated through, 3-4 hours.

CHICKEN SOUP WITH MINI-MEATBALLS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix the ground turkey, water, egg, 1/3 cup onion, bread crumbs, cheese, salt and pepper to taste.
• Shape the mixture into small 1-inch meatballs.
• In a large pot, combine the broth, carrots, celery, 1/2 large onion and bring them to a simmer. Add the orzo and let it cook for 5 minutes (pastina takes 2 minutes), stirring frequently.
• Add the meatballs and simmer them in broth for 15-20 minutes. Then stir in the spinach and simmer it until it's wilted, about 1 minute.
• (I also have added fresh parsley to the soup when I have it! - about 1/4 cup chopped).

BAKED ZITI WITH MINI MEATBALLS

Steps:

• .1. Cook ziti until al dente and then rinse to cool and set aside.
• 2. Mix ground meat, onion, bread crumbs, 1 tsp garlic salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, 1 egg and 1/2 tsp basil. Form into small meatballs ( a little less than a walnut). Then cook the meatballs in the olive oil until the meatballs are browned and cooked through. Drain off the fat then set aside.
• 3. Mix the ricotta, 1 tsp garlic salt, 1/2 tsp basil, 1/2 tsp parsley, 1/4 tsp pepper, 1/2 of mozzarella and 1 egg together. Set aside. Then mix the ricotta mixture with the ziti and set aside again.
• 4. Mix the jar of pasta sauce and the basil crushed tomatoes together then set aside.
• 5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• 6. Assemble: 1/3 of the sauce- followed by 1/2 of the ziti/ricotta/mozzarella-followed by the meatballs- then -- 1/3 sauce - followed by the rest of the ziti/ricotta/mozzarella mix- followed by the last 1/3 of the sauce followed by the rest of the mozzarella and sprinkled with the parmesan cheese.
• 7. Bake, loosely covered with foil for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 20-30 minutes. Let sit at least 10 minutes before serving.

MINI SWEDISH MEATBALLS WITH CRANBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• In a bowl, put the meat, breadcrumbs, egg, onion and allspice with some seasoning. Mix well and form into about 20 small meatballs. Heat the oil in a frying pan, then brown and cook the meatballs in two batches. Serve with a bowl of cranberry sauce to dip in.
• Serve alongside a combination of smoked and cured fish like salmon, pickled herring, trout or mackerel. Add bowls of crème fraîche or soft cheese, capers, grainy mustard, diced red onion or chopped boiled eggs to accompany, as well as the dishes below.

BAKED RIGATONI WITH MINI MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Heat oil in a straight-sided skillet over medium-high. Add meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until browned all over, 8 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, 45 seconds. Add pureed tomatoes and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, about 2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain pasta; return to pot and toss with sauce and cubed cheese.
• Transfer mixture to an 8-inch square baking dish; cover with parchment-lined foil. Bake until bubbling, 15 minutes. Uncover; top with sliced cheese. Adjust oven to broil; cook until cheese is melted and golden brown, about 2 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes and serve.

CHICKEN SOUP WITH MINI MEATBALLS AND SPINACH

Steps:

• For meatballs; in a large bowl combine all meatball ingredients together; mix using clean hands.
• Shape into 3/4-inch balls and place on a plate.
• In a large pot heat the chicken broth until a medium boil; stir in spinach, diced carrots and meatballs; return to a boil then reduce heat to medium-low.
• Cover and cook stirring occasionally over medium-low heat for about 25-30 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through and the diced carrots are tender.
• Add in cooked pasta or rice and heat through.
• Season with black pepper.
• Ladle into bowls and top with Parmesan cheese.

BAKED BUFFALO CHICKEN MINI MEATBALLS

Steps:

• line cookie sheet with foil and spray foil with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• in a large bowl, mix ground chicken, panko, celery seed, 1/4 cup of the hot sauce, chopped onion, minced garlic, 2 eggs, salt and pepper. The mixture will be very sticky unlike my other meatball mix (but this is correct). With damp hands shape into 1.5-2 inch balls the best you can (they do not need to be perfect) and place evenly on prepped cookie sheet.
• spray the top of the meatballs with a little cooking spray. important. why? it gives you a crispier / more brown meatball.
• bake meatballs at 350 for 20 minutes. Remove from oven, flip them and bake for an additional 10 minutes (if all the mix does not fit on your cookie sheet, refrigerate mix as you will need to bake a second batch. Do not forget to put new foil and spray on the cookie sheet for second round).
• sauce: in small bowl melt 3/4 cup softened butter (about 30 sec in microwave) and add the remaining 1/2 cup of hot sauce. Taste sauce. A little too hot for you or the kids? That's ok, whisk in 3-5 tbsp of tomato paste until the desired 'heat' is reached (I usually add 3 tbsp tomato paste when I make the sauce).
• drizzle the sauce over the meatballs; gently toss to coat.
• transfer to serving dish with some celery sticks and blue cheese dressing.

BARBEQUED MINI-MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, combine first 9 ingredients. Mix well with hands. Shape into the size of walnuts and place in a single layer in a 13 by 9-inch pan. Pour Neelys BBQ sauce over meatballs and bake for 45 minutes. Remove and serve with toothpicks as an appetizer.
• In a large saucepan, combine all the ingredients. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to simmer. Cooked uncovered, stirring frequently, for 2 hours.

BABY FOOD: MINI TURKEY MEATBALLS (8 MONTHS +)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• In a small bowl combine breadcrumbs, rice cereal and herbs, tossing with fingers until well combined. Set aside.
• Place lean ground turkey into a mixing bowl. Add carrots, celery, onion and breadcrumb mixture. Mix into the meat and combine well. Add beaten egg yolk and enough water/veggie puree to moisten the mixture just to bind it (may not need all of it so add in batches).
• Form 1tabp of meat mixture into meatballs.
• 5. Add a bit of water or marinara sauce in the bottom of a glass baking dish, about 1/3 cup. Line baking dish with single layer of meatballs, about 1 inch apart. Be sure not to over crowd dish or they will fall apart. Bake until lightly browned, about 25-30 minutes, flipping them once during the cooking process to insure they've cooked thoroughly. If you notice the are getting to dark, cover with tinfoil. You don't want them to burn or become tough.
• To freeze, let them cool completely. Transfer in single layer (you can stack meatballs, just place parchment paper in between each layer to prevent them from freezing together) in a airtight container. When ready to eat, place in a microwavable dish, add a bit of water, and loosely cover and cook for 1 minute.
• Serve with marinara sauce.

MINI MEATBALLS IN SAFFRON SAUCE

Steps:

• Mix pork, veal, 1 tablespoon parsley, half of garlic, egg, bread, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in medium bowl to blend. Shape meat mixture into 1-inch balls. Dust meatballs with flour. Set aside.
• Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add meatballs and sauté until browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer meatballs to plate. Add onion to skillet; reduce heat to medium and sauté until tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in paprika, then 1 cup broth and wine. Return meatballs with any accumulated juices to skillet. Bring to simmer. Cover and cook until meatballs are tender, about 25 minutes. Uncover; add 2 tablespoons parsley, remaining garlic, and saffron. Simmer until sauce thickens, turning meatballs occasionally, about 10 minutes. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool slightly, then cover and refrigerate. Bring to simmer, thinning with broth if necessary.)
• Place meatballs with sauce on platter. Top with 1 tablespoon parsley.