Meatballs!

The ultimate comfort food at my home and at church! These can be made ahead and frozen. Great also as appetizers or on a sub roll with melted cheese.


Question: Can you get carpal tunnel syndrome from making meatballs?


Answer: Yes, most definitely, after shaping 649 meatballs!


In med-high heat, pan fry the meatballs to get a good dark crust.


In an ideal world, I would pan fry all 649 meatballs to get a good sear and crust, but in my practical world, I had to resort to baking them in high heat. Not as pretty as pan seared ones.


All thumbs up from my church family! And even from my pickiest eaters.


Inspired by Cooks Illustrated


2 slices white sandwich bread, torn
1/4 cup buttermilk
3/4 pound ground beef chuck
1/4 pound ground pork
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoon soy sauce
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves
1 large egg yolk
2 small clove garlic, finely minced
3/4 teaspoon table salt
Ground black pepper

3 tablespoons of vegetable for pan frying

Combine torn bread and buttermilk and make panade. Add rest of the ingredients and mix well. Take a small amount of meat mixture, and roll into a golf ball sized meatballs. Makes about twenty

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Heat non-stick frying pan to med/high. Put 3 tablespoons of oil and sear the meatballs on all sides. Place them on a foiled baking sheet in a single layer and bake for 8-10 minutes.

If you are cooking in large volume, place meatballs on foiled or parchment paper line sheet pan, spray with oil spray and bake in oven at 425 degrees F. for 12 minutes (turning the tray once after 6 minutes).

Simple Marinara Sauce:

2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (28 ounce) can tomato puree
2 1/2 tablespoons dried oregano
2 1/2 tablespoons dried parsley
1/4 cup grated Romano cheese
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 bay leaves


Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Saute garlic until aromatic and tender. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato puree, oregano, parsley, Romano cheese, Parmesan cheese, and bay leaves. Reduce heat to low and simmer for at least 40 minutes.

Recommended jarred sauces:
Bertolli Tomato and Basil has good balanced flavor
Newman's Own Marinara has peppery flavor with good texture