Frankies' Meatballs Recipe

Name: Frankies' Meatballs Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 4 slices plain white bread, torn into large pieces (about 2 packed cups); 2 pounds ground beef (90 percent lean, no fattier); 3 medium garlic cloves, minced; 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves; 1/4 cup finely grated Pecorino Romano, plus more for serving; 1/4 cup pine nuts; 1/4 cup raisins; 1 1/2 teaspoons fine salt; 15 turns freshly ground white pepper; 4 large eggs; 1/2 cup dried plain breadcrumbs; ½ cups (3 quarts) tomato sauce, such as our Basic Tomato Sauce (see Game Plan note)

Servings: persons

4 slices plain white bread, torn into large pieces (about 2 packed cups)
2 pounds ground beef (90 percent lean, no fattier)
3 medium garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
1/4 cup finely grated Pecorino Romano, plus more for serving
1/4 cup pine nuts
1/4 cup raisins
1 1/2 teaspoons fine salt
15 turns freshly ground white pepper
4 large eggs
1/2 cup dried plain breadcrumbs
½ cups (3 quarts) tomato sauce, such as our Basic Tomato Sauce (see Game Plan note)

1
Heat the oven to 325 degrees F and arrange a rack in the middle.
2
Place the bread in a large bowl, cover with water, and let soak until saturated, about 1 minute.
3
Pour off the remaining water, wring out the bread, and tear it into tiny pieces.
4
Place in a large bowl.
5
Add the remaining ingredients except the breadcrumbs and tomato sauce and mix to combine.
6
Add the breadcrumbs a little at a time until the mixture is moist wet, not sloppy wet.
7
(You may not have to add all of the breadcrumbs.)
8
Roll 1/2 cup of the meat mixture between your hands until its smooth, compact, and round (about 2 inches in diameter) and place the meatball on a baking sheet; repeat until you have 15 meatballs, spacing them 1 inch apart on the baking sheet.
9
Bake until firm and just cooked through, about 25 to 30 minutes.
10
(At this point, you can cool the meatballs and hold them in the refrigerator for as long as a couple of days or freeze them for the future.)
11
Meanwhile, heat the tomato sauce in a large pot over medium heat until simmering.
12
Add the meatballs and increase the heat to medium high until the sauce returns to a simmer.
13
Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the meatballs soak up some of the sauce, at least 30 minutes.
14
Serve 3 meatballs per person with a healthy helping of the sauce.
15
Top each portion with a fluffy mountain of grated cheese.

1081

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

Leave out the nuts to make it nut-free, or swap in seeds for a similar crunch.

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 12 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 4 slices plain white bread, torn into large pieces (about 2 packed cups), 2 pounds ground beef (90 percent lean, no fattier), 3 medium garlic cloves, minced, 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves, and more.

Yes, Frankies' Meatballs Recipe 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!