Italian Meatballs in a Basket

Turn your dinner into a show-stopping centerpiece with this recipe for *Italian Meatballs in a Basket*! Juicy, flavor-packed meatballs made with a perfect blend of ground beef, Italian sausage, Parmesan, and fresh herbs are simmered in rich marinara sauce and elegantly served inside crispy, golden Parmesan baskets. This creative presentation transforms a hearty Italian classic into a sophisticated dish that's as beautiful as it is delicious. With just a handful of simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, you’ll create an impressively gourmet meal that’s perfect for entertaining or elevating your everyday dinner table. Garnished with fresh basil, each basket is a savory masterpiece that delivers irresistible textures and flavors in every bite. Perfect for family dinners, romantic meals, or dinner parties—this recipe combines comfort food with an unforgettable twist.

Nutriscore Rating: 55/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 g Ground beef
• 250 g Italian sausage
• 75 g Breadcrumbs
• 50 g Grated Parmesan cheese (for meatballs)
• 60 ml Milk
• 1 large Egg
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 15 g Fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 1 tbsp Olive oil
• 500 ml Marinara sauce
• 200 g Grated Parmesan cheese (for baskets)
• 10 g Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, Italian sausage, breadcrumbs, 50g of grated Parmesan, milk, egg, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper.

Step 3

Mix the ingredients thoroughly with your hands until evenly combined, being careful not to overwork the mixture.

Step 4

Shape the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs (about 20-24 meatballs).

Step 5

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches and sear them until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes per batch. Remove and set aside.

Step 6

In the same skillet, pour the marinara sauce and bring it to a simmer. Return the seared meatballs to the skillet, cover, and cook on low heat for 20 minutes, occasionally spooning the sauce over the meatballs.

Step 7

While the meatballs are cooking, prepare the Parmesan baskets: Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Place small piles (about 50g each) of grated Parmesan cheese on the parchment, spreading each into a roughly 10cm (4-inch) circle.

Step 8

Bake the Parmesan circles in the preheated oven for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the edges are golden brown.

Step 9

Remove the tray from the oven and let the Parmesan circles cool for 30 seconds. Carefully lift each circle with a spatula and drape it over an inverted small bowl or glass to form a basket shape. Allow to cool completely and harden.

Step 10

To assemble, place a Parmesan basket on each plate. Add 4-5 meatballs and spoon marinara sauce over the top.

Step 11

Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1745 grams (1745.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3625

Total Fat 253.30g	325%
Saturated Fat 106.20g	531%
Polyunsaturated Fat 15.70g
Cholesterol 918mg	306%
Sodium 10122mg	440%
Total Carbohydrate 96.80g	35%
Dietary Fiber 7.80g	28%
Total Sugars 22.40g
Protein 235.70g	471%

Vitamin D 224IU	1119%
Calcium 3222mg	248%
Iron 20mg	109%
Potassium 2550mg	54%

*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: 63.2%

Protein: 26.1%

Carbs: 10.7%