The Best Napoletana Meatballs - Twiins Style
One of our best Sunday morning memories is of our mother frying meatballs for our Sunday dinner. There is something to be said for the wonderful aroma of meatballs frying along with the anticipation of the meal to follow, as it was usually shared with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. It wasn't just a meal...it was an event! Sundays were always special in our home because we would get to spend time with our cousins who we had so much fun with. As soon as Mom started placing the cooked meatballs in the bowl we would sneak into the kitchen to grab them out of the bowl while they were still hot; a tradition that our children and husbands still carry on today! 😋 😋
Ingredients
- 2½ lbs ground beef 80-85% lean/20-15% fat (or 2½ lbs of ground beef, veal, and pork mixture)
- 1/3 – 1/2 loaf day-old Italian bread soaked in milk (should yield 8 squeezed-out meatball sized mounds of bread)
- 10 garlic cloves, finely chopped or grated
- 1/2 large onion, finely chopped
- 6 eggs
- 3 large handfuls grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- 1 handful fresh parsley, chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
- EVOO (for frying)
Directions
- Place ground meat in a large mixing bowl, break up with a fork and set aside.
- In another large bowl, soak bread in enough milk to cover. Let bread absorb milk then squeeze out milk between your hands. (You should have 7-8 handfuls, discard milk)
- Place squeezed out bread on top of ground meat.
- Add the onion, garlic, salt, and pepper to combine well.
- Make a well in the center of the meat mixture and place all the eggs, Pecorino Romano cheese, and the parsley.
- With a large fork scramble the eggs, cheese, and parsley in the well, then start to combine into the entire meat mixture. You can do this best with your hands that are scrupulously clean or with gloves…your preference.
- Once well combined (don’t over mix) scoop out about 1/2 handful of meat mixture and roll into a ball and place on parchment or waxed paper. Continue making meatballs until all meat has been formed.
- In a large skillet pour enough EVOO to about 3/4 inches in depth. Let the oil get hot, then working in batches, brown all sides (Don’t overload, allow each meatball some breathing room).
- When meatballs are browned and crisp remove to a paper towel lined bowl or tray. Repeat until all meatballs are cooked.
- 30 minutes before your tomato sauce is ready, place cooked meatballs in the tomato sauce and continue cooking the sauce.
- Serve with your favorite pasta and enjoy!
Notes: These meatballs freeze well and can be used at a later date. They are delicious as a stand-alone meal with or without tomato sauce. Make them smaller and they become a delicious appetizer, add mozzarella & some tomato sauce for meatball parmigiana heroes!😋😋
These meatballs were the best ever! They are loaded with flavor. Great recipe ladies!
Your meatball recipe is the bomb! Best meatballs I’ve ever eaten. My whole family loved them and couldn’t stop eating them. I like that your recipe made about 30 meatballs so I was able to freeze some for another meal. I look forward to more of your recipes.
Carol – so glad you and your family enjoyed our meatball recipe. We think they’re the “bomb” too. Thanks so much for your support.