• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Family Dinners logo
  • Browse Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Bread
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Main Dish
    • Side Dish
    • Salads
  • Kitchen Tips
  • Blog
  • About Us
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • All Recipes
  • Main Dish
  • Desserts
  • Appetizers
  • Side Dish
  • Bread
  • Drinks
  • Kitchen Tips
  • Salads
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    The Best Italian Meatballs

    Feb 28, 2021 · 2 Comments

    2423 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Yummly
    • Email
    • Mix
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    text: the best meatballs everyone loves: image: meatballs in marinara sauce
    text: the best meatballs everyone loves: image: meatballs in marinara sauce
    text: the best meatballs everyone loves: image: meatballs in marinara sauce
    text: the best meatballs everyone loves: image: meatballs in marinara sauce
    text: the best meatballs everyone loves: image: raw meatballs
    text: the best meatballs everyone loves: image: meatballs in marinara sauce

    You're in for a treat! Stef's famous meatball recipe is here! This Italian meatballs recipe makes the best spaghetti and meatballs, ever. They're large meatballs but they have a couple secret ingredients. These are a mix of ground pork and ground beef and make an amazing cheesy meatball the whole family loves.

    Make these with our marinara sauce as an appetizer or spoon them over spaghetti. You can also use these for meatball subs. YUM!

    collage - top left image of hand holding large uncooked meatball. Tray of 3 rows of 5 meatballs below the hand. Bottom left image of cooked golden meatballs on baking sheet. Right image of black large pan full of marinara sauce and meatballs with bits of basil.
    Making these amazing meatballs is easy.

    Enjoy Italian meatballs as a full meal with these other recipes:

    • Main Dish: Marinara Sauce – This classic marinara pairs perfectly with this famous meatball recipe and makes the best spaghetti and meatballs ever!
    • Side Dish: Italian Salad– This classic side dish is colorful and full of flavor!
    • Bread: Pizza Dough Garlic Knots – Dip these in your marinara! YUM!
    • Drink: Red Wine Sangria – This is one of my all time favorite sangria recipes. Use the rest of the wine leftover from your marinara recipe.
    • Dessert: Chocolate Lasagna – This needs no introduction!
    birds eye view of a black large saute pan on a dark gray counter. Pan is full of red marinara sauce, large cooked meatballs and sprinkled with fresh slices of basil.
    Famous meatball recipe with marinara and fresh basil.
    white pot of red marinara sauce with gold ladle inside. White marble countertop with basket of rolls and spaghetti next to pot

    THE BEST MARINARA SAUCE

    CLICK FOR RECIPE
    recommended recipe pizza dough garlic knots. Image of wood basket with red and white check plaid cloth inside. Basket is full of seasoned garlic knots

    EASY GARLIC KNOTS RECIPE

    CLICK FOR RECIPE
    Close up view of a large meatballs with marinara (best spaghetti and meatballs ever) topped with fresh basil and parmesan cheese.

    Stef's Famous Meatball Recipe Ingredients:

    You may have many of these Italian meatball ingredients in your pantry already. Full ingredient amounts are in the recipe card below.

    Jump to Recipe
    • Spices: Dried oregano, black pepper, sea salt, red pepper flakes and minced onion.
    • Meat: Use a mixture of ground pork and ground beef.
    • Bread Crumbs: Stef loves to use panko bread crumbs. For gluten free meatballs use gluten free bread crumbs.
    • Dairy: Use yogurt or buttermilk.
    • Worcestershire Sauce: Don't skip this ingredient.
    • Sugar: Use light or dark brown sugar.
    • Cheese: We prefer fresh grated parmesan cheese.
    • Egg: Use a real egg.

    Consider one of our other types of meatballs: air fryer meatballs, chicken meatballs, turkey and spinach meatballs, mozzarella stuffed meatballs.

    Stef's famous meatball recipe ingredients on a dark gray counter. Ingredients include ground pork, ground beef, brown sugar, spices, garlic, bread crumbs, egg, parmesan, yogurt and worcestershire sauce
    Gather your meatball ingredients

    FAQs About Italian Meatballs

    What is the difference between Italian meatballs and Swedish meatballs?

    Swedish Meatballs are usually smaller than Italian meatballs. Italian meatballs are usually made with a 50-50 ratio of ground pork and ground beef while Swedish meatballs are usually all ground beef. Swedish Meatballs use spices like allspice and nutmeg for flavoring while Italian meatballs are flavored with garlic, Italian spices and garlic.

    How long can you refrigerate meatballs?

    Cool completely and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days.

    Can you freeze meatballs?

    Yes! You can freeze meatballs either raw or cooked. Either way, arrange meatballs on a baking sheet so they aren't touching. Place in the freezer. Once they're frozen transfer to a ziplock bag to store. Raw frozen meatballs can be stored for up to 3 months. Cooked frozen meatballs can be frozen for up to 2 months.

    How do you make Italian meatballs dairy free?

    Use a dairy free yogurt substitute instead of yogurt and omit the parmesan cheese.

    Is it safe to put raw meatballs in marinara sauce?

    Yes. You can put raw meatballs in marinara sauce as long as they're covered by the sauce and the sauces simmers until the meatballs are cooked all the way through. I don't like this method because it can make the sauce too greasy.

    • Close up view of a large plate of spaghetti noodles and meatballs with marinara topped with fresh basil and parmesan cheese.
    • birds eye view of an oval personal serving plate full of cooked spaghetti noodles covered in marinara and 6 meatballs. Serving spoon sits next to plate as well as saute pan with meatballs.
    Garlic Parmesan French Bread
    An easy recipe for garlic french bread made by slathering a bakery loaf of bread with a homemade garlic butter, and parmesan mixture and then toasting it up into golden deliciousness! This garlic cheese bread is quick and delicious.
    See Recipe
    recommended recipe: garlic french bread golden roasted on wood cutting board

    How to the Best Italian Meatballs:

    Stef's famous meatball recipe is easy and foolproof. You can make these Italian meatballs even if you've never made meatballs before. Your family will be impressed when you serve the best spaghetti and meatballs ever.

    1. Preheat the oven.

    Preheat the oven to 400°F. TIP: you can also make these in the air fryer. See air fryer cooking instructions in our air fryer meatballs recipe.

    2. Mix yogurt and breadcrumbs.

    In a large bowl, combine the yogurt/buttermilk and breadcrumbs. Stir together and allow them to sit for a few minutes. This will help make a moister meatball.

    • birds eye view of medium sized glass bowl on a dark gray counter. Bowl has raw meat, shredded parmesan cheese, a pile of bread crumbs, a raw egg, yogurt and spices inside it.
      Place all the ingredients in a large bowl.
    • Clear glass bowl on a gray counter. Bowl is full of raw meat. Two whole garlics next to
      Mix ground beef and pork together.

    3 Add the rest of the Italian meatball ingredients.

    Add ground pork, ground beef, onion flakes, oregano, black pepper, salt, Worchestire sauce, egg, and ¼ cup parmesan cheese and sugar to the breadcrumb mixture. Use gloved hands to mix the ingredients thoroughly.

    Adding the grated cheese inside the meatball will make a cheesy meatball that isn't overly cheesy. They're large meatballs so you don't want to overwhelm them with cheese but a little cheesy goodness is perfection.

    4. Form cheesy meatballs.

    Use a 2 tablespoon (or desired size) cookie dough scoop to form large meatballs from the meat mixture. You can roll them in your hands for a tighter, more uniform meatball if desired.

    • birds eye view of a large ice cream scoop full of uncooked meatball meat.
      Use a scoop to measure meatballs and make them even.
    • hand holding large uncooked meatball.
      Use your hands to roll meatballs into a ball.

    5. Bake the large meatballs.

    Place meatballs on a cookie sheet or in a baking dish coated with non-stick cooking spray. Bake for 13 minutes. (Meatballs do not need to be cooked all the way through; they will cook the rest of the way while simmering in the pasta sauce.)

    • Gray counter. Overhead birds eye view of black decorative baking sheet with 15 uncooked meatballs
      Place uncooked meatballs on a baking sheet.
    • gray counter. Overhead birds eye view of black decorative baking sheet with 15 cooked meatballs with a little cheese dripping out.
      Baked meatballs.

    6. Prep marinara and spaghetti noodles.

    Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti noodles according to package instructions to al dente. Drain. Prepare marinara sauce or add 1-2 jars of pre-made spaghetti sauce into a large skillet. Heat over medium until sauce warms through and begins to simmer. Cover to prevent it from splattering all over your stove.

    7. Add Italian meatballs to marinara sauce.

    Add enough meatballs (2 large per person or 4-5 small) to the saucepan and simmer for 5-10 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through.

    • birds eye view of a black large saute pan full of red marinara sauce and 11 large meatballs.
      Place your cooked meatballs in the marinara sauce.
    • birds eye view of a black large saute pan on a dark gray counter. Pan is full of red marinara sauce, large cooked meatballs and sprinkled with fresh slices of basil.
      Top meatballs and marinara with fresh basil.

    8. Serve

    Serve meatballs and sauce over cooked spaghetti to make the best spaghetti and meatballs ever. Garnish with parmesan cheese and/or fresh parsley or basil.

    Air Fryer Meatballs
    These easy homemade meatballs cook to juicy, tender perfection in the air fryer.
    See Recipe
    Chicken Meatballs
    These easy, healthy chicken meatballs make for a quick dinner idea or party appetizer.
    See Recipe
    chicken meatballs stack

    Ways to Use Leftover Italian Meatballs

    You at the best spaghetti and meatballs ever and now you have leftovers. Here are some great ideas for these large meatballs.

    • Appetizer: Serve a cheesy meatball and marinara as an appetizer.
    • Meatball Subs Using sub rolls, top with meatballs, marinara and mozzarella. Bake until cheese is melted. Try these meatball sliders, meatball sandwich bakes or meatball bombs.
    • Pizza: Make a meatball pizza. Use this pizza dough, our marinara as sauce, some mozzarella cheese and sliced leftover meatballs. Or try our meatball calzone.
    Meatball Calzone
    These homemade calzones are so easy to make and ready in no time. Switch up the pizza toppings and you'll never eat the same version twice!
    See Recipe
    cut open meatball calzone
    Pesto Fettuccine
    Delicious pesto fettuccine pasta with meatballs makes a healthy and delicious meal for the whole family.
    See Recipe
    pesto fettuccine
    Birds eye close up view of a large saute pan full of marinara, meatballs and fresh basil.
    recommended recipe: garlic french bread golden roasted on wood cutting board

    PARMESAN FRENCH BREAD

    CLICK FOR RECIPE
    recommended recipe italian salad. Image of clear glass bowl with salad and croutons, red onion, olives. small tomatoes with wood salad tongs

    ITALIAN SALAD RECIPE

    CLICK FOR RECIPE
    spaghetti and meatballs with parmesan cheese sprinkled on top piled on a white plate

    Italian Meatballs

    Delicious classic recipe for large Italian meatballs. They pair well with spaghetti, pizza or meatball sub sandwiches.
    4.67 from 9 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Prep Time: 25 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Course: Main Dish
    Cuisine: Italian
    Keyword: bread crumbs, garlic parmesan french bread, meatballs, spaghetti and meatballs
    Servings: 24 large meatballs
    Calories: 66kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark.
    Tried this recipe?Mention @FamilyDinnersOfficial or tag #familydinnersofficial!

    Ingredients
     

    • ½ pound ground pork
    • ½ pound ground beef
    • 1 teaspoon minced onion
    • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
    • ½ teaspoon coarse black pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon coarse sea salt - plus more for seasoning pasta water
    • ½ cup panko bread crumbs
    • ⅓ cup yogurt or buttermilk
    • ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
    • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
    • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • 1 egg
    • ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese - plus extra for garnish
    • 8 ounces spaghetti noodles
    • 1 recipe Homemade Marinara Sauce - (or your favorite jarred sauce)

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 400°F.
    • In a large bowl, combine the yogurt/buttermilk and breadcrumbs. Stir together and allow them to sit for a few minutes. This will help make a moister meatball.
    • Add ground pork, ground beef, onion flakes, oregano, black pepper, salt, Worchestire sauce, sugar, egg, and ¼ cup parmesan cheese to the breadcrumb mixture. Use gloved hands to mix the ingredients thoroughly.
    • Use a 2 tablespoon (or desired size) cookie dough scoop to form balls from the meat mixture. You can roll them in your hands for a tighter, more uniform meatball if desired.
    • Place meatballs on a cookie sheet or in a baking dish coated with non-stick cooking spray. Bake for 13 minutes. (Meatballs do not need to be cooked all the way through; they will cook the rest of the way while simmering in the pasta sauce.)
    • Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti noodles according to package instructions to al dente. Drain.
    • Prepare marinara sauce or add 1-2 jars of pre-made spaghetti sauce into a large skillet. Heat over medium until sauce warms through and begins to simmer.
    • Add enough meatballs (2 large per person or 4-5 small) to the saucepan and simmer for 5-10 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through.
    • Serve meatballs and sauce over cooked spaghetti. Garnish with parmesan cheese and/or fresh parsley or basil.

    Notes

    Store remaining meatballs in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.  Meatball recipe makes enough for 2 standard meals.
    If you're going to make a big batch of spaghetti and meatballs, you may want to skip the oven baking part of the instructions and do the initial browning of the meatballs in the skillet (to reduce dishes).  Heat a bit of oil in the skillet and brown meatballs on all sides for a few minutes.  Work in batches.  Continue by adding the sauce to the pan and then adding the meatballs back in to finish cooking.
    **Nutritional information is for meatballs only. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 66kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 66mg | Potassium: 72mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 33IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    recommended recipe: chocolate lasagna. Image: white counter with chocolate crumbs on it surrounding a white plate with square slice of chocolate lasagna dessert which is layers of chocolate wand white cream layers

    CHOCOLATE LASAGNA

    CLICK FOR RECIPE
    steamed milk from a small white pitcher being poured onto salted caramel hot chocolate bomb in a white mug. Hole melting in the top of the cocoa bomb.

    SALTED CARAMEL
    COCOA

    CLICK FOR RECIPE
    recommended recipe: granny smith apple pie. Image of white marble counter with white round plate. Slice of apple pie with round scoop of ice cream on top.

    BEST APPLE PIE

    CLICK FOR RECIPE

    Dutch Oven Pot Roast
    Pin Recipe
    Rich, melt in your mouth pot roast slow cooked with sweet carrots.
    Check out this recipe
    overhead view of cooked pot roast and carrots in white dutch oven
    Chicken with White Wine Sauce
    Pin Recipe
    The combination of the white wine, baby bella mushrooms, butter and seasonings create the perfect savory chicken dish rich in flavor.
    Check out this recipe
    Golden cooked chicken surrounded by mushroom sauce in black cast iron pan. Golden baked french bread slices in background.
    Pin
    Share
    Tweet
    « Lemon Dill Vinaigrette
    Easy Cottage Pie »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Shawn says

      November 11, 2021 at 3:53 pm

      When do you add the sugar?

      Reply
      • Andrea + Stef says

        February 21, 2022 at 5:28 am

        Add the sugar when you add the other seasonings.

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    The Best Dinner Recipes

    We'll make your life easier! These are the best dinner recipes the whole family will love. Plan your meal from main dish to dessert!

    New Recipes

    • Air Fryer Naan Pizza
    • Fried Fish Tacos
    • Caprese Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
    • BBQ Chicken Nachos
    andrea and stef in front of the ocean

    About Us

    Andrea + Stef

    are mothers who love to cook! Our goal is to make life easier for other parents by sharing our tried and true recipes, meal plans and kitchen tips.

    More about us →

    • Visit Facebook account (opens in a new tab)
    • Visit Instagram account (opens in a new tab)
    • Visit Pinterest account (opens in a new tab)
    • Recipe Index
    • Contact
    • About Us

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Policies

    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    About

    • About Us

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2021 FamilyDinners.com

    2423 shares
    2423 shares