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Polpettini - Italian Meatballs

Prep Time40 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Meat
Servings: 70 meatballs

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1/2 loaf french bread (1-3 days old) or about 2 cups bread crumbs
  • 2 tbsp European pine nuts
  • 1 Small garlic clove finely chopped
  • 1 Egg slightly beaten
  • 3/4 tsp Salt
  • Black pepper (a pinch or two)
  • 1/2 cup Parmigiano to taste
  • Olive Oil for frying

Instructions

  • Moisten bread and crumble up well. Place in a large bowl. If you wet too much, squeeze out excess water first.
  • Add the ground meat and mix with a fork.
  • Add the remaining ingredients (except the oil) and blend well. Mixture should be moist (not soggy).
  • With hands, form (flattened a bit) balls.
  • In a large frying pan, heat olive oil over medium to medium/high heat. When oil is hot (not so hot it smokes), add one meatball. If it sizzles and simmers, begin adding the rest.
  • Cook and turn, browning first one side, then the other. Don't burn though.
  • Drain on paper towels.
  • Serve hot or at room temperature.
  • Can be stored covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, wrap in foil and place in oven at 350 degrees F for about 5 minutes until heated through. Warm up only what you will use.