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Classic Beef Meatballs

Craving classic beef meatballs but don’t want to wait? These juicy, flavorsome beauties are quick to make and never disappoint and can be served any way that you like.

Three classic beef meatballs piled on pasta in a white and green bowl an finished with Parmesan.

Adapted from Daniel Holzman | Michael Chernow | The Meatball Shop Cookbook | Ballantine Books, 2011

Here they are—the top sellers at The Meatball Shop and sure to be a big hit at home. Most traditional meatball recipes call for Parmesan or pecorino cheese. While we’re big fans of these stronger cheeses, we prefer ricotta. It’s our secret weapon. The mild and creamy consistency of this fresh cheese gives the meatballs a unique, light texture. Beef has a subtle flavor, and the ricotta is a great way to add fat and moisture to the recipe without the overpowering flavor of a sharper cheese. These are quick to prep, and baking rather than frying makes this a fast comfort food even during the busiest of weeks.–Daniel Holzman and Michael Chernow

How to serve meatballs

Remember that little ditty about somebody’s meatballs that some poor hungry soul lost when somebody sneezed? Well, there’s more ways to serve your meatballs than over pasta. Like in a sandwich. Or on pizza. Or, well, you tell us. Let us know in a comment below.

Classic Beef Meatballs

  • Quick Glance
  • (3)
  • 25 M
  • 1 H
  • Makes 24
5/5 - 3 reviews
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Ingredients


Directions

Preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C). Drizzle the olive oil in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and use your hand to slick the entire surface.

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ricotta, eggs, bread crumbs, parsley, oregano, salt, fennel, and red pepper flakes. Gently mix by hand until everything is thoroughly incorporated.

Roll the mixture into round, golf ball-size meatballs (about 1 1/2 inches in diameter), making sure to pack the meat firmly. Place the balls in the prepared baking dish, being careful to line them up snugly in even rows vertically and horizontally to form a grid. The meatballs should be touching one another.

Roast until the meatballs are firm and cooked through and a meat thermometer inserted into the center of a meatball reads 165°F (74°C), 20 to 30 minutes.

While the meatballs are roasting, warm the tomato sauce in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring often.

When the meatballs are firm and fully cooked, remove them from the oven and tip the pan to remove the excess grease into the garbage. Pour the tomato sauce over the meatballs and turn to coat. Return the meatballs to the oven and continue roasting for another 15 minutes. 

Serve as desired. Originally published October 28, 2013.

Print RecipeBuy the The Meatball Shop Cookbook cookbook

Want it? Click it.

    Turkey Meatball Variation

    • Substitute ground turkey for the beef. That’s it. Everything else remains the same.

    Show Nutrition
    Classic Beef Meatballs Recipe © 2011 Daniel Holzman | Michael Chernow. Photo © 2011 John Kernick. All rights reserved. All materials used with permission.

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