Olivia Carter
Italian meatballs cooked in a skillet are a hearty and delicious dish that will impress your friends and family. Made with a flavorful combination of ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning, these meatballs are full of rich Italian flavors. Cooking them in a skillet ensures they are cooked evenly and develop a golden brown crust.
To start, you’ll need to gather your ingredients. You’ll need ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, eggs, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. These ingredients can be easily found in your local grocery store.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef and pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, eggs, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to mix everything together until well combined. Shape the mixture into small, golf ball-sized meatballs.
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs to the skillet and cook for about 8-10 minutes, or until they are cooked through and golden brown on the outside. Make sure to flip the meatballs gently to ensure even cooking. Once cooked, remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
Serve the Italian meatballs with your favorite pasta and marinara sauce for a classic, comforting meal. Garnish with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese for an extra touch of flavor. They can also be served as a party appetizer or used to make meatball sandwiches. Enjoy!
How to Make Italian Meatballs Skillet – Step by Step Guide
Making Italian meatballs in a skillet is a delicious and easy way to enjoy this classic Italian dish. With a few simple ingredients and some basic kitchen skills, you can create a flavorful and satisfying meal that the whole family will love. Follow this step-by-step guide to learn how to make Italian meatballs in a skillet.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 1/4 cup minced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, onion, garlic, egg, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Mix well with your hands until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Shape the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs to the skillet and cook until browned on all sides, about 8-10 minutes.
- Pour the crushed tomatoes into the skillet and add the dried oregano and basil. Stir well to combine.
- Reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet. Simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through.
- Serve the Italian meatballs in a skillet over cooked spaghetti or on a crusty Italian roll. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and parsley, if desired.
Enjoy your homemade Italian meatballs skillet, and buon appetito!
Gather the Ingredients
Before you start cooking Italian meatballs in a skillet, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Ground Beef: You’ll need 1 pound of lean ground beef to make the meatballs.
- Italian Sausage: 1/2 pound of Italian sausage adds extra flavor to the meatballs.
- Breadcrumbs: 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs will help bind the meatball mixture together.
- Parmesan Cheese: Use 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese to enhance the taste.
- Garlic: 2 cloves of garlic, minced, will give the meatballs a delicious aroma.
- Egg: Use 1 large egg as a binding agent.
- Milk: 1/4 cup of milk will make the meatballs moist and tender.
- Parsley: 2 tablespoons of chopped parsley adds freshness to the meatballs.
- Salt and Pepper: Season the meatball mixture with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper, or adjust according to your taste.
- Olive Oil: You’ll need 2 tablespoons of olive oil for cooking the meatballs.
- Marinara Sauce: Serve the meatballs with 1 cup of marinara sauce for a classic Italian touch.
Make sure you have all these ingredients ready before you start cooking. It’s time to make some delicious Italian meatballs!
Prepare the Meatball Mixture
To make delicious Italian meatballs, you’ll need to start by preparing the meatball mixture. This is where all the flavors and ingredients come together to create the perfect meatball.
Ingredients:
- 500g ground beef
- 250g ground pork
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Start by combining the ground beef and ground pork in a large bowl. Mix them together until they are well combined.
Next, add the breadcrumbs, eggs, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, chopped parsley, milk, salt, and black pepper to the bowl. Use your hands to mix everything together. Make sure the ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
Once all the ingredients are mixed together, take a small amount of the mixture and shape it into a small meatball. This will help you check the seasoning and adjust if necessary. Cook the test meatball in a skillet and taste it to make sure the seasoning is perfect.
After adjusting the seasoning, roll the remaining mixture into meatballs. You can make them any size you prefer, but a golf ball-sized meatball is a good place to start.
Now that the meatball mixture is prepared, you can move on to cooking them in a skillet.
Shape and Brown the Meatballs
Once your meatball mixture is well combined, it’s time to shape the meatballs. Using your hands, roll the mixture into small balls, about 1 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Make sure each meatball is evenly sized so they cook evenly.
Next, heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a drizzle of olive oil. Once the skillet is hot, carefully place the meatballs in the pan, making sure they have enough room to brown and cook properly.
Allow the meatballs to cook undisturbed for about 2-3 minutes, or until the bottoms are nicely browned. Gently flip each meatball over using tongs or a spatula, and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. This will ensure that the meatballs are browned on all sides and cooked through.
Once the meatballs are browned, you can either proceed with cooking them in the skillet or transfer them to a baking dish and finish cooking them in the oven. This will depend on your recipe preferences and desired method of cooking.
Regardless of how you choose to finish cooking the meatballs, make sure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure they are fully cooked and safe to eat.
Now that your meatballs are shaped and browned, they are ready to be cooked in your desired sauce or served on their own. Enjoy!
Cook the Tomato Sauce
To make the delicious tomato sauce for the Italian meatballs, follow these simple steps:
- Heat a skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
- Add olive oil and minced garlic to the hot skillet.
- Sauté the garlic for about 1-2 minutes until it becomes fragrant and starts to turn golden.
- Add canned crushed tomatoes and tomato paste to the skillet.
- Stir the ingredients together to combine well.
- Season the sauce with salt, pepper, dried oregano, and dried basil.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can use an immersion blender to blend the sauce until smooth.
- Once the sauce is cooked and seasoned to your liking, it is ready to be served with the meatballs.
Now that you have learned how to cook the tomato sauce, you can proceed to cook the meatballs in another skillet. Make sure to follow the recipe instructions to achieve perfectly cooked and flavorful Italian meatballs.
Simmer the Meatballs in Sauce
Once the meatballs are browned and cooked through, it’s time to simmer them in a delicious sauce. The sauce will infuse the meatballs with extra flavor and help to tenderize them even further.
To simmer the meatballs in sauce, start by pouring your favorite marinara or tomato sauce into a large skillet. You want enough sauce to cover the meatballs completely. If you prefer a chunky sauce, you can also add diced tomatoes or other vegetables.
Place the browned meatballs into the skillet with the sauce, making sure they are submerged. If you need to, you can spoon the sauce over the meatballs to ensure proper coverage.
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet with a lid to trap in the moisture and flavors. Let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for at least 20-30 minutes, or until they are heated through and the flavors have melded together.
While the meatballs are simmering, stir the sauce occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. If the sauce becomes too thick, you can add a splash of water or broth to thin it out.
Once the meatballs are done simmering, they are ready to serve! You can enjoy them on their own, with pasta, or in a sandwich. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley for an extra burst of flavor.
Tip: If you’re short on time, you can also simmer the meatballs in sauce for a shorter period, such as 10-15 minutes. However, the longer they simmer, the more tender and flavorful they will become.
FAQ
What ingredients are needed to cook Italian meatballs in a skillet?
To cook Italian meatballs in a skillet, you will need ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, egg, olive oil, and marinara sauce.
Can I use a different type of ground meat instead of beef?
Yes, you can use different types of ground meat such as pork, turkey, or a combination of meats to make Italian meatballs.
Do I have to use breadcrumbs in the meatball mixture?
Breadcrumbs are commonly used in meatball recipes to help bind the ingredients together and create a tender texture. However, if you want to make gluten-free meatballs, you can try using almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs as a substitute.
How long should I cook the meatballs in the skillet?
The cooking time for meatballs in a skillet can vary depending on their size and the heat level. Generally, it takes about 10-15 minutes to cook meatballs thoroughly, turning them occasionally to brown all sides.
Can I freeze Italian meatballs?
Yes, you can freeze cooked Italian meatballs. Let them cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bags. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and warm them up in a skillet with marinara sauce.
