Best Nonnas Old Country Italian Meatballs Recipes

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NONNA'S SPAGHETTI & MEATBALLS



Nonna's Spaghetti & Meatballs image

The meatballs and sauce are cooked in the slow cooker for this traditional Italian spaghetti and meatballs recipe. You could also serve the meatballs over creamy polenta or on a sandwich with melted provolone.

Provided by Carolyn Malcoun

Categories     Healthy Meatball Recipes

Time 4h

Number Of Ingredients 21

2 large eggs
1/2 cup dry whole-wheat breadcrumbs (see Tip)
½ cup finely chopped onion
½ cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, plus more for serving
¼ cup minced fresh parsley
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
8 ounces lean (90% or leaner) ground beef
8 ounces ground pork or Italian pork sausage
8 ounces ground veal
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup finely chopped onion
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 cup dry red wine
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes
1 pound whole-wheat spaghetti
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh oregano

Steps:

  • To prepare meatballs: Lightly beat eggs in a large bowl. Stir in breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup onion, cheese, parsley, garlic, salt and pepper. Add beef, pork (or sausage) and veal; gently mix until combined (do not overmix). Using 1/4 cup for each, make 16 meatballs and place in a 6-quart slow cooker.
  • To prepare sauce & spaghetti: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 cup onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Add garlic, Italian seasoning and crushed red pepper; cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add wine and boil for 1 minute. Add crushed and diced tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Pour the sauce over the meatballs.
  • Put the lid on the slow cooker and cook on High for 4 hours or Low for 8 hours.
  • 30 minutes before you're ready to eat, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti until just tender, 8 to 10 minutes or according to package directions.
  • Spoon any fat off the sauce; add oregano. Serve the meatballs and sauce over the spaghetti with extra Parmesan, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 446.8 calories, Carbohydrate 61.3 g, Cholesterol 81.1 mg, Fat 10.8 g, Fiber 10.7 g, Protein 25.5 g, SaturatedFat 3.7 g, Sodium 765.4 mg, Sugar 9.4 g

NONNA'S ITALIAN MEATBALLS



Nonna's Italian Meatballs image

Nonna's Italian meatballs are my go to meatball recipe. It yields tender, juicy results that are full of amazing flavor. Your family will beg for these with spaghetti or in sandwiches!

Provided by Meaghan @ 4 Sons R Us

Categories     Appetizer     Dinner     Main Course

Time 55m

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 lb lean ground beef
1 lb ground pork
1/2-3/4 cup bread crumbs
scant 1/2 cup low sodium beef broth (can substitute milk)
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 medium white onion (minced)
2 eggs
4 cloves garlic (pressed)
salt & pepper (to taste)
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 tsp Italian seasoning
2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Steps:

  • Prepare a large baking sheet by covering it in tinfoil. This will make cleanup a breeze. Lightly spray it with non stick cooking spray, and set aside.
  • Add the bread crumbs and broth to a small bowl, stir, and let them sit for 10-15 minutes. Just until they've soaked up the liquid.
  • Add the olive oil to a large skillet, and heat over medium high heat. Add the onions, tossing them to coat, and cook until the onions are soft and have become translucent.
  • To a large mixing bowl add the meats, onions (once cool enough to touch), prepared bread crumbs, eggs, garlic, salt & pepper, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, and cheese (if using).
  • Just like with a meatloaf, use your hands and mix everything up until evenly mixed throughout. This may take anywhere from 2-5 minutes, but make sure everything's evenly incorporated.
  • Continue using your hands to form the meat mixture into meatballs, each approximately 1 1/2". Place them evenly out onto the prepared baking sheet until all the meat mixture's been used.
  • Bake the meatballs at 425 degrees for 15-20 minutes, or until all the meatballs have cooked through and there's no pink left in the center.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 84 kcal, Carbohydrate 2 g, Protein 7 g, Fat 5 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Cholesterol 31 mg, Sodium 49 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g, ServingSize 1 serving

NONNA'S TRADITIONAL MEATBALLS



Nonna's Traditional Meatballs image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 2h15m

Yield about 25 meatballs

Number Of Ingredients 19

1 pound ground beef chuck
1 pound ground pork
1 1/4 cups milk
3 eggs, lightly beaten
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup fresh basil
1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 teaspoon cayenne
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup dried breadcrumbs
1/2 to 3/4 cup grated Romano cheese
Roasted Tomato Sauce, recipe follows
15 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
6 oil-packed anchovy fillets
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Two 28-ounce cans whole peeled tomatoes, with their juices
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Combine the ground beef and ground pork in a large bowl. Set aside.
  • In a food processor, combine the milk, eggs, garlic, basil, parsley, cayenne and salt. Process until pureed.
  • Add the wet ingredients to the meat and mix to combine. Then add breadcrumbs and Romano, and gently combine; be careful not to overwork the meat.
  • With the help of an ice cream scoop (for even sizing), shape the mixture into 2-ounce meatballs and place on a baking sheet.
  • Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake the meatballs for 30 minutes.
  • Add the meatballs to the Roasted Tomato Sauce and simmer for another 30 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
  • In a deep lasagna pan, add the garlic, anchovies, olive oil, red pepper flakes and salt. Place the pan on the stovetop and saute for 5 to 7 minutes to soften. Remove from the heat and add the canned tomatoes and oregano; mix well.
  • Transfer the pan to the oven and roast until the tomatoes are nicely charred on top, 45 minutes. Let cool, then blend to your liking with an immersion blender; we like our sauce a bit chunky, but feel free to puree if you choose.

GRANDMA MARONIS MEATBALLS 100 YEAR OLD RECIPE



Grandma Maronis Meatballs 100 Year Old Recipe image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 50m

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 pound ground chuck
4 ounces dried bread crumbs
4 large eggs
4 ounces whole milk
6 ounces grated Romano
3 ounces grated Spanish onion
2 ounces finely diced fresh garlic
2 ounces finely chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
2 ounces finely chopped fresh basil leaves

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a baking sheet with olive oil cooking spray.
  • Mix all ingredients thoroughly in large bowl. If mixture seems a little loose add more bread crumbs.
  • Roll meatballs loosely about the size of a golf ball and place on baking sheet. Place into preheated oven for approximately 35 to 40 minutes. Enjoy!

NONNA’S OLD COUNTRY ITALIAN MEATBALLS



NONNA’S OLD COUNTRY ITALIAN MEATBALLS image

Categories     Beef

Yield Yields 16-20 meatbal

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 lbs. ground beef
1 lb. ground pork
1 lb. ground veal
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup flat leaf Italian parsley, chopped
1 cup grated Romano Pecorino cheese
1 tablespoon black pepper
1-1/2 tablespoons salt
5 cloves garlic, minced fine
1 cup day-old Italian bread, soaked in water, squeezed, and torn into 1/2
inch pieces

Steps:

  • Combine ground beef, pork and veal in a large mixing bowl. Soak day old Italian bread in water until the water is absorbed. Squeeze out as much of the water as possible. Tear the bread into chunks and add to the meat mixture. Add remaining ingredients in order and mix thoroughly. Using the palms of the hands, form meatballs 2 to 2-1/2 inches in diameter. Use this recipe to make red gravy, meatloaf, soups and stews. Chef's Notes: When making red gravy, thoroughly brown the meatballs and deglaze the bits on the bottom of the pan with the plum tomatoes called for in the recipe. This creates a rich red color and hearty flavor.

ITALIAN MEATBALLS



Italian Meatballs image

These are real meatballs. If you were only using ground beef in your meatballs before, then you were doing them wrong! Pork and veal is where the real flavor comes from. I also use a tiny bit of mild Italian sausage just like the old country. To make them nice and moist, have them cook in a big pot of homemade red gravy for 1 to 2 hours. Make them as big or small as you like. They should serve about 4, could be more or less depending on the appetite of your family. Rubbing your hands in olive oil helps make perfectly round meatballs. Fresh herbs and produce make all the difference in the world with the flavor. Laziness results in a whack in the head from your nonna's wooden spoon! Lastly, all Italian cooking should have the love, so you better be using your hands when mixing the meat, don't be afraid of good cooking!

Provided by brru25

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 15m

Yield 8-16 meatballs, 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

1/2 lb ground chuck
1/4 lb ground pork
1/4 lb ground veal
1/4 lb mild Italian sausage, casing removed
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon fresh basil, chopped
1/2 teaspoon fresh oregano, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 small vidalia onion, minced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 cups dried breadcrumbs
1/4 cup parmigiano-reggiano cheese, grated
1/2 cup whole milk
1 large egg, beaten
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (imported)

Steps:

  • Mix all ingredients together by hand (except the olive oil).
  • Rub your hands with some left over olive oil.
  • Roll into golf ball-size meatballs.
  • Fry in olive oil until all are cooked.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 625.6, Fat 37.9, SaturatedFat 12.9, Cholesterol 152.2, Sodium 1118.6, Carbohydrate 33.5, Fiber 2.2, Sugar 4.5, Protein 35.7

GREAT-GRANDMA'S ITALIAN MEATBALLS



Great-Grandma's Italian Meatballs image

My great-grandmother started this easy meatball recipe with our family. We use ground beef and turkey for these meatballs, and the flavor's so good, you won't miss the extra calories. -Audrey Colantino, Winchester, Massachusetts

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 50m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon each dried basil, oregano and parsley flakes
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 pound lean ground turkey
1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
Optional: Hot cooked pasta and pasta sauce

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375°. In a small skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook and stir until tender, 3-4 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Cool slightly., In a large bowl, combine bread crumbs, cheese, eggs, seasonings and onion mixture. Add turkey and beef; mix lightly but thoroughly. Shape into 1-1/2-in. balls., Place meatballs on a rack coated with cooking spray in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake until lightly browned and cooked through, 18-22 minutes. If desired, serve with pasta and pasta sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 271 calories, Fat 13g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 125mg cholesterol, Sodium 569mg sodium, Carbohydrate 10g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

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