NONNA'S HOMEMADE ITALIAN MEATBALLS

Nonna's Homemade Italian Meatballs image

Provided by @MakeItYours

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.