Malta Development Blog

Italian meatballs are a family favorite sure to please anyone at your dinner table this summer!

This recipe has major flavor due to the use of herbs and Parmesan cheese. You can skewer the Italian meatballs for a hearty appetizer with a spicy tomato sauce for dipping, serve them with pasta in your favorite Italian spaghetti sauce, or line them up on a chewy roll and top with caramelized onions and BBQ sauce.

1-1/2 lbs lean ground meat (you can use all beef, or a mixture of beef, lamb and/or pork)

1 egg

1/2 cup breadcrumbs

salt and pepper to taste (don't be afraid to add lots of pepper!)

2 tablespoons of chopped parsley

1/2 teaspoon oregano (dried is fine)

1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (add more if you like things cheesy)

4 tablespoons olive oil, divided

Mix the meat with all of the above ingredients except the oil. Hand knead everything together until thoroughly mixed. Shape into meatballs by rolling about two tablespoons of the mixture between your palms. If your hands are wet, the shaping will go much easier.

Heat some of the oil in a roomy pan over medium heat and brown half of the meatballs slowly – be careful not to crowd them so that they brown evenly. Turn the meatballs carefully, or swirl the pan to turn them. Watch out because the oil is hot. Add the remaining oil to brown the second batch of meatballs.

These tasty meatballs can be served hot, warm or at room temperature.

Depending upon how you use them, as an appetizer, a meal or a sandwich, they will serve 6-8 happy people.

Enjoy!

Image via WhatsUpForKids.com