Delicious Mini Meatballs: The Best 30-Minute Recipe
A simple, quick recipe for making versatile and delicious mini meatballs in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
1 lb lean ground beef (or a beef, pork, and veal mix)
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
24 oz jar of your favorite marinara sauce
Instructions
Prepare the Meat Mixture: In a large bowl, gently combine the ground beef, finely chopped onion, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to mix until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat, which can result in tough meatballs.
Form the Mini Meatballs: Roll the meat mixture into small, bite-sized balls, about 1 inch in diameter. This recipe should yield about 25-30 mini meatballs.
Sear the Meatballs: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Carefully place the mini meatballs in the skillet, leaving some space between them. Cook for 3-4 minutes, turning them to brown all sides. You don't need to cook them all the way through; you are just building flavor and color.
Simmer in Sauce: Once the meatballs are browned, reduce the heat to low. Pour the marinara sauce over the meatballs, ensuring they are all covered. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then cover the skillet and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and tender.
Serve: Serve your mini meatballs hot, either as a standalone appetizer or over pasta, on a sub roll, or with a side of crusty bread. For a great sauce, you can learn how to make an even better marinara sauce The user in the pizza.
Notes
Use a combination of ground meats for richer flavor. For extra flavor, you can add finely chopped fresh parsley or basil to the meat mixture.