How To Make Everyday Meatballs | Smitten Kitchen with Deb Perelman

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Nutritional yeast adds flavor while being lower in calories.

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner, while ground pork is often cheaper.

bread crumbs

🥗Healthier: oats

💰Cheaper: crushed crackers

Oats are healthier, while crushed crackers can be more economical.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: water

Almond milk is lower in calories, while water is cost-effective.

In a large bowl, combine ground beef and ground pork.

Add half a cup of plain dry breadcrumbs to the meat mixture.

Pour in some milk (or broth/water if preferred).

Add one teaspoon of salt and a few grinds of black pepper.

Sprinkle in crushed red pepper flakes to taste, being cautious of spiciness.

Add half a teaspoon of onion powder for flavor without texture.

Incorporate two tablespoons of parmesan cheese into the mixture.

Chop about two tablespoons of parsley and add it to the bowl.

Mince garlic and add it to the meat mixture.

Crack two eggs into the mixture to bind everything together.

Use a fork to combine all ingredients until just mixed, avoiding overmixing.

Use a small scoop or spoon to form meatballs about one and a half inches in diameter, wetting hands if necessary to help form them.

Place formed meatballs in the fridge while preparing the sauce.

In a skillet, heat two tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat.

Add one clove of minced garlic to the skillet and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.

Add a little dried oregano to the skillet for flavor.

Cook the garlic until it has slight golden edges, being careful not to brown it.

Add a can of crushed tomatoes to the skillet, being cautious of splatter.

Stir in one teaspoon of salt into the sauce.

Simmer the sauce until it looks 'saucy' and starts to thicken.

Carefully add the chilled meatballs directly into the sauce without stirring them.

Cover the skillet and simmer for 25 minutes, ensuring not to touch or stir the meatballs during this time.

After 25 minutes, check the meatballs for doneness by cutting one in half to ensure it's cooked through.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens