Grandma Emilia's Secret: Authentic Italian Meatballs

Name: Grandma Emilia's Secret: Authentic Italian Meatballs
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1/2 pound ground pork; 1 cup breadcrumbs; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese; 1 large egg, lightly beaten; 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 28 ounces crushed tomatoes; 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce; 1 teaspoon sugar; 1/2 teaspoon dried basil

Recipe by Zideons

Published December 21, 2025

These Italian meatballs are bursting with flavor, tender, and simmered in a rich tomato sauce. Passed down through generations, this recipe uses a secret blend of herbs and cheeses to create the perfect comfort food.

AI-Generated Recipe Disclaimer:
This recipe was generated by artificial intelligence and may not be fully accurate. Always use your best judgment, follow proper food safety practices, and adjust ingredients or cooking methods as needed. MealMagX is not responsible for cooking outcomes, dietary reactions, or food safety issues.

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, Pecorino Romano cheese, egg, parsley, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined.

Roll the meat mixture into 1-inch meatballs.

Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Brown the meatballs in batches, turning frequently, until browned on all sides. Remove the meatballs from the pot and set aside.

Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, sugar, and basil to the pot. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Gently add the meatballs to the sauce. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 1 hour, or up to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Serve hot over pasta, polenta, or on their own with a sprinkle of fresh parsley.

Final Notes

These Italian meatballs are fantastic served over spaghetti with a generous dollop of ricotta cheese. They also freeze well, making them perfect for meal prepping or a quick weeknight dinner.

About the Author

Zideons

Cooking is my passion. I love blogging and sharing my creative recipes with the world. With my busy lifestyle, it can be challenging to create new recipes, write posts, and ensure everything is formatted and presented well. I started MealMagX for this very reason—for those who share my passion for creative cooking but may not have the time to maintain a blog.

Grandma Emilia's Secret: Authentic Italian Meatballs

Ingredients

Instructions

Final Notes

Categories

About the Author

Zideons

We Use Essential Cookies