Family Secret Meatball Recipe
Does anyone remember that episode of “Everybody loves Raymond” when Marie teaches Debra to make the family secret meatball recipe but purposely changes the recipe so Debra’s meatballs aren’t as good as Mom’s? Well, I promise not to do that to you! These are true authentic Italian meatballs just like generations of Italians have been making.
As I’ve mentioned before on this blog, my husband comes from an Italian family. The meatballs that our family makes, are the same ones he grew up on. Nothing but true Italian authenticity here. In fact, he does such a fine job that I often put him to work in the kitchen on those little tedious ones used for that beloved Italian Wedding soup everyone loves. I give him the pile of meat all mixed with the right balance of ingredients and away he goes like a giant meatball making machine!
Do you see how tiny they are!? I do love that soup but that takes some serious patience which happens to be my husband’s number one quality. Okay he has lots of fine qualities and they are all pretty high ranking but this is truly a SKILL and a quality. Plus the bonus is that he does it without a complaint or a grumble, just happy to help out. Well after all, he does love to eat them!
Secret Ingredient Revealed…
The softness from an Italian meatball comes from Oatmeal! Yes, who would have thought the beloved breakfast cereal is an amazing ingredient to add tender softness to meatballs. It keeps them firm enough to cook solid but will easily break apart with your fork when eating them. No knife required. These seriously just melt in your mouth.
They also work really well for freezing. Lie flat to freeze and then cook right from frozen, adding to the pan first to brown up a little before adding to your sauce. We always make a big batch! Some big, and some mini soup meatballs.
So spread the word, food is for sharing! What good is a recipe if not to be shared. Enjoy these as a family tradition in your house. 🙂
Remember, if you make it and like it, please pin and share and tag me with your pictures on instagram @thecozeehome
| Servings | Prep Time |
| 8-10 people | 1 hour |
| Cook Time |
| 30 minutes |
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Authentic Italian family secret meatball recipe. Made for generations. These meatballs are incredibly tender and tasty. So easy to make a tradition!
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- 1.5 lb Lean ground pork
- 1.5 lb Lean ground beef
- ⅓ cup Grated romano cheese
- 1 tsp Finely chopped garlic
- 2 tbsp Chopped dried parsley
- ½ tsp Oregano
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup Evaporated milk or cream
- 2 Medium eggs
- 1 cup Oatmeal flakes
- ¼ cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Place all ingredients except the olive oil in a large mixing bowl and gently mix by hand
- Form meat mixture into desired sized meatballs. (We do some for Pasta and some for Italian Wedding Soup)
- Place in single layer in a pan or dutch oven and brown on each side
- Add sauce to meatballs and continue cooking on low heat in the sauce for 30 min or longer.
- If using for soup, add meatballs to boiling water. Remove from water after they begin to float and add to soup broth.
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