Best Homemade Meatballs Recipe

Coat a large skillet with 1 Tablespoon of olive oil and heat over medium-high. Add diced onions and sprinkle with salt, cooking for 6-7 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes. Turn off heat and let the mixture cool slightly.

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, eggs, grated Parmesan cheese, fresh Italian parsley, salt, pepper, and breadcrumbs. Mix thoroughly by hand until well combined.

Incorporate the cooled onion and garlic mixture into the meat mixture. Add water or milk and mix again by hand until the mixture is wet but cohesive.

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Shape the mixture into meatballs slightly larger than golf balls, yielding approximately 18-20 meatballs.

Using the remaining 2 Tablespoons of olive oil, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides carefully, avoiding breaking them apart.

Transfer the skillet with browned meatballs (if oven-safe) or place the meatballs on a baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until fully cooked through.

Heat homemade or store-bought marinara sauce in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-low heat until simmering. Carefully add the cooked meatballs to the sauce and let them simmer, absorbing flavors.

Garnish meatballs with freshly grated Parmigiano and finely chopped Italian parsley or basil. Serve over pasta, creamy polenta, or simply with garlic cheese bread for a hearty meal.