Gramps Italian Meatballs

Step into the heart of Italian comfort food with Gramps Italian Meatballs, a family recipe that's been passed down for generations. These tender, flavor-packed meatballs combine a perfect blend of ground beef and pork, with Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and a hint of garlic for an authentic taste. Gently bound with breadcrumbs and a splash of milk, these meatballs boast a perfectly moist texture that holds its shape without being dense. Pan-seared to golden perfection and optionally simmered in marinara sauce, they make a versatile dish—serve them over hearty pasta, stuffed into a toasted sub roll, or as a crowd-pleasing appetizer. With just 20 minutes of prep time and classic Italian spices like oregano and black pepper, this recipe will transport your taste buds straight to a rustic Italian kitchen. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special gatherings, Gramps Italian Meatballs are the ultimate comfort food for every occasion.

Nutriscore Rating: 54/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb Ground beef (80% lean)
• 0.5 lb Ground pork
• 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs
• 0.5 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large Egg
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1 tsp Dried oregano
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 0.25 cup Milk
• 2 tbsp Olive oil (for frying)

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and black pepper.

Step 2

Gradually add the milk to the mixture while blending everything together by hand until the mixture is moist but holds its shape. Be careful not to overmix.

Step 3

Form the meat mixture into balls about 1.5 inches in diameter, gently rolling them between your palms. This should yield around 16-18 meatballs.

Step 4

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the meatballs in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan.

Step 5

Cook the meatballs for 2-3 minutes on each side, until they are browned all over. You may need to do this in batches if your skillet is not large enough.

Step 6

Once browned, remove the meatballs and set them aside on a plate. If desired, add them to a simmering marinara sauce to finish cooking for an additional 10-12 minutes.

Step 7

Serve the meatballs warm with your favorite pasta, on a sub roll with melted mozzarella, or as an appetizer with toothpicks and marinara sauce.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	941.5 grams (941.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2581

Total Fat 190.60g	244%
Saturated Fat 68.80g	344%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.00g
Cholesterol 782mg	261%
Sodium 4467mg	194%
Total Carbohydrate 49.50g	18%
Dietary Fiber 2.90g	10%
Total Sugars 7.10g
Protein 167.80g	336%

Vitamin D 109IU	544%
Calcium 752mg	58%
Iron 16mg	86%
Potassium 1395mg	30%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 66.4%

Protein: 26.0%

Carbs: 7.7%