Indulge in this delicious Italian Sausage Meatball recipe that makes making meatballs, quick, easy and enjoyable!
When you need to make something quick, easy and delicious this recipe should be number one on your list. No chopping or sautéing needed. This recipe is what I call a “lightbulb” recipe, because it came to me one day while I was painstakingly chopping onions and garlic to make my Italian grandmother’s meatball recipe and I thought, ‘there has got to be an easier, better way to do this.’ That’s when it hit me. ‘Why not just use Italian sausage instead of ground beef?’ The sausage is already seasoned and ready to go, with ingredients like garlic, herbs, fennel seed, salt, and pepper. And voilà, this recipe was given life. Now it has become a Sunday night tradition that the whole family looks forward to.
But as this recipe is so easy and so good, don’t reserve it just for Sunday dinner. It’s quick and super yummy, so it also makes a great weeknight or dinner party recipe as well, and it’s always a winner! My secret to making the meatballs uniform in shape is to use a small ice cream scoop. It makes the preparation fast and easy and everyone is always in awe of the fact that all the meatballs are exactly the same size and shape. In all honesty, I started doing this because my kids would always fight over who got the biggest meatballs, so I knew I had to find a way to make them all the same size or I was going to lose my mind and the ice cream scoop works very well!
These easy-to-prepare meatballs always come out tender and flavorful. You only need a few staple ingredients you probably already have in your cupboards. If you want to make sure your meatballs are out of this world, I recommend choosing the freshest Italian sausage you can find, and try to get real Italian bread crumbs from the bakery. I like to use pecorino romano cheese in my recipe sometimes to mix it up a bit and I always use flat-leaf parsley, never curly.
Quick and Easy!
These meatballs are so good one bite can bring your tastebuds right to an authentic Italian dinner table in Italy. They are so tasty; crunchy on the outside, moist on the inside and they go just right with Homemade Tomato Sauce. The recipe is “low carb” and if you don’t add the pasta, they make a great addition to any low-carbohydrate or keto diet. The meatballs are quick to make, and they keep in the refrigerator very well, so you can make them ahead of time and pull them out when needed. They also freeze like a dream, so make an extra batch every time you make them and you will always have something yummy and delicious on hand for a dinner emergency.
How to Make Ahead and Store?
To make them ahead of time; bake the meatballs as per the recipe instructions, then let them cool completely to room temperature. Place them in the freezer on the baking sheet and freeze them. Once they are completely frozen, transfer the meatballs to a sealed airtight container or freezer bag. You can freeze the meatballs for up to two months. When you are ready to use them, defrost them in the refrigerator and reheat them in the oven for about 8 minutes. Or, you can heat up spaghetti sauce on the stovetop and reheat the meatballs right in the sauce.
What Temperature is it Best to Bake the Meatballs at?
The recipe calls for making the meatballs at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, but some people choose to bake them at 350 degrees. Personally I think that 375 degrees is the magic number. I usually put them in for 25 to 30 minutes and I haven’t heard any complaints yet!
Serving Suggestions
These Italian Sausage Meatballs are a great accompaniment to any pasta dish, covered with a waterfall of homemade Italian meat sauce, or sandwiched in between a fresh grinder roll, topped with melted mozzarella cheese. They also make great Homemade Pizza toppings or they can be a delicious after-school or afternoon snack.
If you are looking to try some different ways to make these meatballs, why not experiment with using spicy or hot Italian sausages instead and add in some fresh herbs like basil, sage, mint or oregano? While you’re at it, grate some of your favorite Italian cheese over the top of the meatballs and now you have successfully elevated a weeknight usual into a gourmet dish. Have fun, make these meatballs together with your friends and family and eat all together. Food is made for sharing with the ones you love!
Italian Sausage Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground Italian sausage, egg, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, and chopped parsley. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overwork the mixture to keep the meatballs tender.
- Form the mixture into 1-inch balls and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet, spaced evenly apart.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the meatballs are browned and cooked through.
- Serve the meatballs hot with your favorite pasta sauce, on a sandwich, or enjoy them on their own as a tasty appetizer.
Made about 20 meatballs and they turned out really good
Thanks Lyndie, meatballs never disappoint! 🟤🍝