21st Century Meatballs Recipe

Name: 21st Century Meatballs
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 4 slices white bread, crusts trimmed and bread torn into pieces; ½ cup milk; 1 lb extra lean ground beef (you can use half ground beef and half ground turkey as a healthier option); 12 small white onion, finely diced; 1 carrot, peeled and finely diced; 1 celery, finely diced; 1 large egg; 3 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano (if you don't have fresh available, you can use 1 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed); 1 garlic clove, minced; salt, to taste; ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg; ¼ teaspoon paprika; ½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper; ½ cup all-purpose flour (for dusting); extra virgin olive oil

Servings: persons

4 slices white bread, crusts trimmed and bread torn into pieces
½ cup milk
1 lb extra lean ground beef (you can use half ground beef and half ground turkey as a healthier option)
12 small white onion, finely diced
1 carrot, peeled and finely diced
1 celery, finely diced
1 large egg
3 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano (if you don't have fresh available, you can use 1 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed)
1 garlic clove, minced
salt, to taste
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
½ cup all-purpose flour (for dusting)
extra virgin olive oil

1
Place the torn bread pieces in a large bowl.
2
Pour the milk over it and toss to coat.
3
Let stand 5 minutes or until the bread absorbs the milk and becomes very soggy.
4
Add the ground beef, onion, carrot, celery, egg, parsley, oregano, garlic, salt, nutmeg, paprika, and pepper.
5
Using your hands, blend the mixture thoroughly.
6
In a large, non-stick skillet, heat 2 Tablespoons olive oil over medium heat.
7
Shape the meat mixture into 24 golf-ball size meatballs, dusting your hands with flour to coat the meatballs and prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands.
8
(Do not pack the meatball too tightly, as this will result in tough meatballs.
9
Rather, very loosely form the balls.
10
).
11
Add the meatballs to the skillet and cook about 10 minutes, turning them to evenly brown all sides.
12
(If your skillet will not accommodate all meatballs at once, cook them in batches, adding about 2 Tablespoons of olive oil to the bottom of the skillet with each batch.
13
).
14
Once meatballs are evenly brown on all sides, remove from the skillet and place on plate with paper towels covering it, to remove any excess oils that remain.

536

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

A good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well if you need a gluten-free version.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 16 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 4 slices white bread, crusts trimmed and bread torn into pieces, ½ cup milk, 1 lb extra lean ground beef (you can use half ground beef and half ground turkey as a healthier option), 12 small white onion, finely diced, and more.

Yes, 21st Century Meatballs falls under the Meat & Poultry category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

21st Century Meatballs

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions