Ingredients
– 1 pound ground beef for rich base
– 1 pound ground pork for extra juiciness and flavor
– 1 cup grated parmesan cheese (divided) as binder
– 1/4 cup heavy cream to keep moist
– 1 egg as binder
– 2 tablespoons grated onion for sweetness and aroma
– 6 cloves pressed garlic for pungent kick
– 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning for authentic herbs
– 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper for mild spice
– 1/2 teaspoon salt to enhance flavors
– 2 cups marinara sauce to coat meatballs
– 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese for gooey layer
– 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional garnish) for garnish
Instructions
1-First Step: In a large bowl, combine 1 pound ground beef, 1 pound ground pork, 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup heavy cream, 1 egg, 2 tablespoons grated onion, 6 cloves pressed garlic, 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper. Mix gently by hand until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat for juicy results.
2-Second Step: Shape the mixture into about 24 meatballs, each roughly 1.5 inches in size. Place them evenly in a 9×13-inch casserole dish to ensure they cook uniformly and absorb the sauce well.
3-Third Step: Pour 2 cups marinara sauce over the meatballs in the dish, making sure they’re nicely covered for maximum flavor infusion. This step adds moisture and that classic Italian taste.
4-Fourth Step: Sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese and the remaining 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese on top of the meatballs and sauce. This creates a bubbly, golden crust that’s hard to resist.
5-Fifth Step: Bake the casserole uncovered at 350ยฐF for 35-45 minutes. Check that the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 160ยฐF to ensure they’re safe and moist. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes after baking to set everything nicely.
6-Final Step: Serve your Meatballs Parmesan hot, perhaps with a side of pasta or veggies for a complete meal. The total time is about 15 minutes prep, 35-45 minutes bake, plus 5 minutes rest, so plan accordingly. For variations, you might try adapting this for high-altitude baking by checking our high-altitude baking tips to adjust cooking times.
Last Step:
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๐ฅฉ Combine beef and pork for the best flavor and juiciness; choose higher-fat cuts for tenderness.
๐คฒ Mix the meatball ingredients gently by hand to avoid overworking and tough meatballs.
๐ก๏ธ Check the internal temperature of the meatballs at 160ยฐF to ensure they are cooked through while staying moist.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Rest Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 meatballs
- Calories: 437 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 835 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 131 mg
