Here are 3 easy, perfect to follow, meatballs recipes. Many cuisines across the world use meatballs in dishes, since they are easy to cook, versatile and delicious. They can be flavored in a variety of ways and created with different kinds of meat, opening up endless possibilities for variation using different ingredients.
Source: PixabayAnyone who loves eating meat is bound to list meatballs among their favorite dishes. They can be cooked in different ways and the resultant dishes will have unique flavors and textures. These are some of the easiest items to cook at home and will definitely be appreciated by anyone who eats them!
3 Recipes to Help You Make Delicious Meatballs
Let’s take a look at some simple recipes that will help you make amazing meatballs on your own.
Simple Baked Meatballs Serves 4
Ingredients:
- Ground beef (lean) kg
- Bread crumbs cup
- Onion (finely chopped or minced) cup
- 1 medium-sized egg (lightly beaten)
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions:
First, set the oven to preheat to 350 degrees.
Combine the bread crumbs, egg and onions in a large bowl with salt and pepper to taste. You can add a bit of water to help them combine better. Then, mix in the ground beef and work it with your hands to make sure there are no chunks and the mixture is even. Shape the mix into 1 inch balls by rolling it between your palms and gently patting them into shape.
Place the meatballs on a broiler pan and insert the pan into the preheated oven. Bake them at 350 degrees for half an hour. After 20-25 minutes, remove one meatball and cut it in half. If the centre is still pink, they need to cook for longer. Once they are done, you can team the meatballs with spaghetti sauce or serve them in spicy gravy!
Italian Style Meatballs Serves 6
Ingredients:
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- Ground beef (lean) 1 kg
- Onion (finely chopped) 150 g or one large onion
- Garlic (crushed) 2 large cloves
- Fresh basil leaves (finely chopped) cup
- Fresh parsley (finely chopped) cup
- 1 medium-sized egg (lightly beaten)
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
-
Instructions:
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan and add the onions, garlic and a pinch of salt. Cover them and cook on a low flame till they are soft and pale. Remove the pan from heat and set it aside to cool. Combine the egg, herbs and mince with the onions (after they are cool) in a large bowl.
Add salt and pepper to taste. Squish the mixture thoroughly with your fingers, making sure there are no chunks of mince in it. After that, shape it into meatballs about an inch in diameter and either fry them in a large pan with olive oil or bake them at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes in an oven preheated to the same temperature.
Tasty Cheese Meatballs Serves 6
Ingredients:
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- Ground beef (lean) or chicken 1 kg
- Garlic (crushed) 2 large cloves
- 1 large tomato or cup tomato paste
- Dried basil 2 tablespoons
- Dried oregano 2 tablespoons
- Bread crumbs 1 cup
- Parmesan cheese (grated) 1 cup
- 1 medium-sized egg (lightly beaten)
- Salt
- Pepper
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Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Blend the tomato in a food processor till it forms a smooth paste (unless you’re using tomato paste). Combine the bread crumbs, grated cheese, egg and herbs in a large bowl with salt and pepper to taste. Check the seasoning before you add the mince (it should taste a little sharper than the desired result).
Add the tomato sauce and mince and mix well with your fingers to ensure there are no chunks. Shape into meatballs about an inch in diameter, and then place them on a broiler pan and into the oven. Cook the meatballs at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or till the centres are no longer pink.
Tips and Tricks
There are a number of variations that you can try with the mince mix as well as the sauce you serve them in. Try using ground pork with soy sauce and vinegar for a Chinese-flavoured version that you can serve in a hot and sour sauce, or spicy Indian ‘masalas’ with lamb or mutton mince.
If you are having a party, you can make Italian-style meatballs and order pizza for the main dishes. Ordering pizza online means that there will be less work for you (especially if you are cooking for a lot of people) while still being able to present a variety of food choices. Similarly, you can team meatballs with other kinds of cuisine and dishes that follow a similar theme!