With a savory blend of meats, flavorful cheese, and garlic, these meatballs are sure to be an instant favorite. The meatballs can be cooked without the sauce: Just reduce the heat to medium once they've browned, and cook for 5 to 10 minutes.
Ingredients
-
8 ounces ground beef chuck (80 percent lean)
-
8 ounces ground pork
-
1 garlic clove, minced
-
½ cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or pecorino Romano cheese
-
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
-
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
-
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
-
1 ½ slices white bread, torn into small pieces (1 cup packed)
-
¼ cup whole milk
-
Extra-virgin olive oil, for frying (about 3 tablespoons)
Directions
-
Mix together beef and pork using your hands. Stir in garlic, cheese, parsley, eggs, and 1 1/4 teaspoons salt; season with pepper. Soak bread in milk for 5 minutes, and then stir into meat mixture. Lightly dampen hands, and roll mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls, transferring to a rimmed baking sheet as you work. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
-
Bring sauce to a gentle simmer in a medium pot. Meanwhile, heat oil in a heavy medium skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, fry meatballs, shaking skillet occasionally, until brown all over, about 6 minutes, and transfer to sauce. Simmer until meatballs are cooked through, about 10 minutes. (Test doneness by cutting 1 meatball open.)
Cook's Notes
Toss with long, thin pasta, such as capellini or spaghetti, or with a wide variety such as rigatoni.