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Gallery

Read the full recipe after the video.

Recipe Summary

Yield: Makes about 2 dozen 1 1/2-inch meatballs

beef-meatballs-mslb7034.jpg

Ingredients

Ingredient Checklist

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 pounds 80 percent lean ground beef

1 cup ricotta cheese

2 large eggs

1/2 cup dried breadcrumbs

1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano (or 1 teaspoon dried)

2 teaspoons coarse salt

1/4 teaspoon crushed red-pepper flakes

1/2 teaspoon ground fennel

4 cups Classic Tomato Sauce

Gallery

Read the full recipe after the video.

Recipe Summary

Yield: Makes about 2 dozen 1 1/2-inch meatballs

beef-meatballs-mslb7034.jpg

Read the full recipe after the video.

Read the full recipe after the video.

Recipe Summary

Yield: Makes about 2 dozen 1 1/2-inch meatballs

Recipe Summary

Yield: Makes about 2 dozen 1 1/2-inch meatballs

Yield: Makes about 2 dozen 1 1/2-inch meatballs

Makes about 2 dozen 1 1/2-inch meatballs

beef-meatballs-mslb7034.jpg

beef-meatballs-mslb7034.jpg

Ingredients

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 pounds 80 percent lean ground beef
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup dried breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • 2 teaspoons coarse salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red-pepper flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground fennel
  • 4 cups Classic Tomato Sauce

Directions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Drizzle olive oil into a 9-by 13-inch baking dish; using your hand, evenly coat entire surface. Set aside.

In a large bowl, use your hands to mix together beef, ricotta, eggs, breadcrumbs, parsley, oregano, salt, red-pepper flakes, and fennel until fully incorporated. Roll mixture into firmly packed 1 1/2-inch balls.

Place meatballs in prepared baking dish, taking care to line them up snugly so that they are touching one another in even rows vertically and horizontally to form a grid. Transfer baking dish to oven. Bake until meatballs are firm and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of a meatball reads 165 degrees.

Meanwhile, heat tomato sauce in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring frequently.

Remove meatballs from oven and carefully drain excess grease from pan. Pour heated sauce over meatballs and return to oven; cook for 15 minutes more. Serve.

Reviews (13)

Add Rating & Review

155 Ratings

5 star values:

                                  53

4 star values:

                                  52

3 star values:

                                  28

2 star values:

                                  20

1 star values:

                                  2

Load More Reviews

Reviews (13)

Add Rating & Review

155 Ratings

5 star values:

                                  53

4 star values:

                                  52

3 star values:

                                  28

2 star values:

                                  20

1 star values:

                                  2

Add Rating & Review

155 Ratings

5 star values:

                                  53

4 star values:

                                  52

3 star values:

                                  28

2 star values:

                                  20

1 star values:

                                  2

155 Ratings

5 star values:

                                  53

4 star values:

                                  52

3 star values:

                                  28

2 star values:

                                  20

1 star values:

                                  2

155 Ratings

5 star values:

                                  53

4 star values:

                                  52

3 star values:

                                  28

2 star values:

                                  20

1 star values:

                                  2
  • 5 star values:
  • 53
  • 4 star values:
  • 52
  • 3 star values:
  • 28
  • 2 star values:
  • 20
  • 1 star values:
  • 2

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: 5 stars

11/07/2014

                I ADORED this recipe, and so did my family and my boyfriend. I made this after a long day at work (and didn't plan ahead, unfortunately), so I did not have time to make the Classic Tomato Sauce. BUT it turned out perfect with a quick marinara I just tossed together! Thanks for the wonderful recipe! I even featured it on my blog; it was that good...and of course, I credited  :)
                
                blog: floatingendless.blogspot.com  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

03/11/2014

                I am a meatball lover and these are my favorite.  I was skeptical about making meatballs without using Parmesan cheese (have never used ricotta before in a meatball recipe)  but these did not disappoint! My husband's favorite as well.  I used half beef and half ground pork and followed the recipe to a T.  They were PERFECT!  any meatball lover out there should try this recipe guaranteed to become a favorite:-)  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

02/02/2014

                I followed the recipe in the book and viewed the video. I thought they were dry and could have been more spicy. These are not  the Italian meatballs from my childhood. Maybe frying vs roasting has to do with the bland taste?  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

04/14/2013

                Very good. Some changes I'd make are... Less salt and make sure you use VERY lean hamburger. I did not on my first try and they are a tad bit greasy for my liking. Also... I made my meat balls about the size of tennis balls and it took them 30 minutes to bake.
                Otherwise, very good!!!!!  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

03/10/2013

                sOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD.  BETTER THAN MY BEST THAT I ALWAYS THOUGHT WERE THE BEST.  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: 5 stars

06/01/2012

                Excellent Recipe, Tripled Recipe, and they were a big hit at a potluck dinner. Thank you!  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

02/21/2012

                On the segment, they said they roast the meatballs for 17 minutes at 450°, remove them from the oven and cover them with sauce, and then return them to the oven for another 15-20 minutes.  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

11/21/2011

                Fantastic! My picky 3 year old gobbled it right up. I'm not the best cook, but this was tres easy!!! I put in oven for 15 minutes as recipe doesn't give cook time  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

11/15/2011

                Flavor of love with this recipe! I made it for a get together here at my home and everyone cleaned their plates! I can't wait to make it again :9  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

11/08/2011

                Really, no guideline on how long to cook these other than an internal temperature!  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

11/05/2011

                I have to say this recipe makes me a little sad. I thought my marinara and meatballs were the best, but these are knockout! Even though I roasted them a little too long past the suggested 165 degrees, they still came out light fluffy and flavorful. I was never able to duplicate the aroma and taste of my Italian grandmothers sauce until I tried this recipe. I had flashbacks to when I was at my grandmothers for Sunday Supper with the whole family. I think using the fresh oregano is key.  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: 5 stars

11/03/2011

                I cannot believe how good these were! I watched it this morning, ran to the store to grab the items I didn't have made it with a FEW minor changes and walll la ! I made a salad, and I made my homemade french garlic bread---- whoieeee it was delish!  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

11/03/2011

                These are delicious! I, however, use one pound of lean beef combined with one pound of merguez (spicy sausage) or sweet italian sausage) to make the meatballs even more flavorful!  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: 5 stars

11/07/2014

                I ADORED this recipe, and so did my family and my boyfriend. I made this after a long day at work (and didn't plan ahead, unfortunately), so I did not have time to make the Classic Tomato Sauce. BUT it turned out perfect with a quick marinara I just tossed together! Thanks for the wonderful recipe! I even featured it on my blog; it was that good...and of course, I credited  :)
                
                blog: floatingendless.blogspot.com  

Rating: 5 stars

Rating: Unrated

03/11/2014

                I am a meatball lover and these are my favorite.  I was skeptical about making meatballs without using Parmesan cheese (have never used ricotta before in a meatball recipe)  but these did not disappoint! My husband's favorite as well.  I used half beef and half ground pork and followed the recipe to a T.  They were PERFECT!  any meatball lover out there should try this recipe guaranteed to become a favorite:-)  

Rating: Unrated

Rating: Unrated

02/02/2014

                I followed the recipe in the book and viewed the video. I thought they were dry and could have been more spicy. These are not  the Italian meatballs from my childhood. Maybe frying vs roasting has to do with the bland taste?  

Rating: Unrated

04/14/2013

                Very good. Some changes I'd make are... Less salt and make sure you use VERY lean hamburger. I did not on my first try and they are a tad bit greasy for my liking. Also... I made my meat balls about the size of tennis balls and it took them 30 minutes to bake.
                Otherwise, very good!!!!!  

Rating: Unrated

03/10/2013

                sOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD.  BETTER THAN MY BEST THAT I ALWAYS THOUGHT WERE THE BEST.  

Rating: 5 stars

06/01/2012

                Excellent Recipe, Tripled Recipe, and they were a big hit at a potluck dinner. Thank you!  

Rating: Unrated

02/21/2012

                On the segment, they said they roast the meatballs for 17 minutes at 450°, remove them from the oven and cover them with sauce, and then return them to the oven for another 15-20 minutes.  

Rating: Unrated

11/21/2011

                Fantastic! My picky 3 year old gobbled it right up. I'm not the best cook, but this was tres easy!!! I put in oven for 15 minutes as recipe doesn't give cook time  

Rating: Unrated

11/15/2011

                Flavor of love with this recipe! I made it for a get together here at my home and everyone cleaned their plates! I can't wait to make it again :9  

Rating: Unrated

11/08/2011

                Really, no guideline on how long to cook these other than an internal temperature!  

Rating: Unrated

11/05/2011

                I have to say this recipe makes me a little sad. I thought my marinara and meatballs were the best, but these are knockout! Even though I roasted them a little too long past the suggested 165 degrees, they still came out light fluffy and flavorful. I was never able to duplicate the aroma and taste of my Italian grandmothers sauce until I tried this recipe. I had flashbacks to when I was at my grandmothers for Sunday Supper with the whole family. I think using the fresh oregano is key.  

Rating: 5 stars

11/03/2011

                I cannot believe how good these were! I watched it this morning, ran to the store to grab the items I didn't have made it with a FEW minor changes and walll la ! I made a salad, and I made my homemade french garlic bread---- whoieeee it was delish!  

Rating: Unrated

11/03/2011

                These are delicious! I, however, use one pound of lean beef combined with one pound of merguez (spicy sausage) or sweet italian sausage) to make the meatballs even more flavorful!  

All Reviews for Classic Beef Meatballs

  • of Reviews

Reviews:

Most Helpful

Most Helpful

Most Positive

Least Positive

Newest

All Reviews for Classic Beef Meatballs

  • of Reviews

Reviews:

Most Helpful

Most Helpful

Most Positive

Least Positive

Newest

Reviews:

Most Helpful

Most Helpful

Most Positive

Least Positive

Newest