Polpette (Italian Meatballs)

Polpette (Italian Meatballs)

Total Time
1h 37m
32m prep · 65m cook
Servings
4 people
Rating
—
Difficulty
Hard
124 views

These tasty Italian meatballs (polpette) start off in the oven, and finish by simmering in a simple tomato sauce. We love them as a main dish, with a side of sautéed zucchini and a salad.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground sweet Italian pork sausage
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 0.67 cups shallot
  • 0.5 cups grated Parmesan cheese , plus more for serving
  • 0.25 cups seasoned breadcrumbs
  • 3 large eggs , lightly beaten
  • 0.5 cups whole milk
  • 0.5 teaspoons ground black pepper , see Note
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 jars tomato puree , 24-ounce
  • 5 cloves garlic , minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian herb seasoning blend
  • salt to taste
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil , or as needed
  • fresh basil leaves

Instructions

  1. 1

    Combine sausage, ground beef, shallot, Parmesan cheese, and breadcrumbs in a large bowl. Use a wooden spoon to break up the ground meat and roughly mix ingredients together. Stir in beaten eggs, milk, and black pepper. Use your hands to mix all ingredients well.

  2. 2

    Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

  3. 3

    Pour water into a shallow bowl, and moisten fingertips and palms with water. Shape meatball mixture into about 40 ping-pong sized balls and place on the prepared sheet pan. When fingers become sticky, dip them in water.

  4. 4

    Bake meatballs in the preheated oven until lightly browned and a bit underdone in the center, about 20 minutes. If meatballs are larger, adjust baking time.

  5. 5

    Pour tomato purée into a large sauce pot or a Dutch oven set over medium-low heat. Stir in minced garlic and Italian herbs. Sample the sauce for seasoning, and adjust, if needed.

  6. 6

    When sauce begins to bubble slightly, add meatballs and stir gently, coating all the meatballs with sauce. Keep meatballs and sauce at a low simmer and cook, uncovered, about 20 minutes.

  7. 7

    To serve, place meatballs and sauce on a plate, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, garnish with fresh basil leaves, and sprinkle with additional grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.

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Nutrition Facts

Per serving

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