Chef John's Italian Meatballs

Ingredients

• 0.33 cups plain bread crumbs
• 0.5 cups milk or beef broth
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion , diced
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound ground pork
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 0.25 bunches fresh parsley , chopped
• 3 cloves garlic , crushed
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian herb seasoning
• 0.5 teaspoons red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. 1

   Gather all ingredients.

2. 2

   Cover a baking sheet with foil and spray lightly with cooking spray. Soak bread crumbs in milk in a small bowl for 20 minutes.

3. 3

   Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir until onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low and continue cooking and stirring until onion is very tender, about 15 minutes more.

4. 4

   Gently stir beef and pork together in a large bowl. Add onions, bread crumb mixture, eggs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic, salt, black pepper, Italian herb seasoning, and red pepper flakes; mix together using a rubber spatula until combined. Cover and refrigerate for about one hour.

5. 5

   Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).

6. 6

   Form mixture into balls about 1 ½ inches in diameter; arrange in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.

7. 7

   Bake in the preheated oven until browned and cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes.

8. 8

   Serve with your favorite tomato sauce. Enjoy!