Classic Beef Meatballs Recipe

Name: Classic Beef Meatballs
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Drinks & Smoothies
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 pounds 80% lean ground beef; 1 cup ricotta cheese; 2 large eggs; 1/2 cup bread crumbs; 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried; 2 teaspoons salt; 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 1/2 teaspoon ground fennel; 4 cups

Servings: persons

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 pounds 80% lean ground beef
1 cup ricotta cheese
2 large eggs
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon ground fennel
4 cups

1
Preheat the oven to 450u00b0F. Drizzle the olive oil into a 9x13-inch baking dish and use your hand to evenly coat the entire surface. Set aside.
2
Combine the ground beef, ricotta, eggs, bread crumbs, parsley, oregano, salt, red pepper flakes, and fennel in a large mixing bowl and mix by hand until thoroughly incorporated.
3
Roll the mixture into round, golf ball-size meatballs (about 1 1/2 inches), making sure to pack the meat firmly. Place the balls in the prepared baking dish, being careful to line them up snugly and in even rows vertically and horizontally to form a grid. The meatballs should be touching one another.
4
Roast for 20 minutes, or until the meatballs are firm and cooked through. A meat thermometer inserted into the center of a meatball should read 165u00b0F.
5
While the meatballs are roasting, heat the tomato sauce in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring often.
6
When the meatballs are firm and fully cooked, remove them from the oven and drain the excess grease from the pan. Pour the tomato sauce over them. Return the meatballs to the oven and continue roasting for another 15 minutes.

No nutrition data on file — estimate from the ingredient list.

No additional tips available.

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

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

You need 11 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 pounds 80% lean ground beef, 1 cup ricotta cheese, 2 large eggs, and more.

Yes, Classic Beef Meatballs falls under the Drinks & Smoothies category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Keep refrigerated in an airtight container and enjoy within 1–2 days for the best freshness. Best served cold — no reheating needed.

Classic Beef Meatballs

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