Rao's Famous Anna & Frankie's Meatballs

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner, while ground pork is often less expensive.

bread crumbs

🥗Healthier: oats

💰Cheaper: crushed crackers

Oats provide fiber and are a healthier alternative.

Parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated cheddar

Nutritional yeast is dairy-free and adds a cheesy flavor.

egg

🥗Healthier: flaxseed meal

💰Cheaper: applesauce

Flaxseed meal acts as a binder and is plant-based.

Start with 2 pounds of ground beef (80/20).

Optionally, you can use 1 pound of lean ground beef, half pound of ground veal, and half pound of ground pork.

Add 1 cup of pecorino Romano cheese to the ground beef.

Add 1.5 tablespoons of freshly minced Italian parsley and minced garlic from the tube.

Add salt and pepper to taste, keeping in mind the saltiness of the pecorino Romano.

Add 2 large eggs (beaten) to the mixture.

Use a fork to incorporate all ingredients into the meat, ensuring even distribution.

Add 2 cups of breadcrumbs to the mixture, using fresh or store-bought.

Incorporate the breadcrumbs into the meat mixture using your hands, ensuring everything is well mixed.

Gradually add lukewarm water (up to 4 cups), mixing thoroughly after each addition until the mixture is smooth and moist.

Form the meatballs to your desired size, typically about the size of your palm.

Prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and spray it lightly with olive oil.

Place the formed meatballs on the prepared baking sheet.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Bake the meatballs for 10 to 15 minutes until lightly browned.

Prepare your sauce in a slow cooker and have it simmering.

Once the meatballs are done, dip them into the simmering sauce to let the flavors meld.

Cook thin spaghetti, being careful not to overcook it.

Toss some spaghetti with the sauce before plating.

Plate the spaghetti and add the meatballs on top.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens