Three-Meat Italian Meatballs: The Ultimate Juicy, Tender, and Flavor-Packed Homemade Meatball Recipe
Three-Meat Italian Meatballs are made with a flavorful blend of ground beef, pork, and veal, mixed with breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic, herbs, eggs, and seasonings. Baked or pan-seared until golden and then gently simmered in marinara sauce, these meatballs become incredibly tender and juicy. Ready in about an hour, they are perfect for pasta dishes, sandwiches, appetizers, or meal prep. Their rich flavor, soft texture, and authentic Italian seasoning make them a timeless favorite for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- ½ pound ground beef (80/20)
- ½ pound ground pork
- ½ pound ground veal
- 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
- ½ cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the Sauce
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce or 3 cups homemade tomato sauce
- Fresh basil for garnish
- Extra Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk. Let them soak for about 5 minutes until soft.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, pork, veal, soaked breadcrumbs, eggs, Parmesan cheese, garlic, parsley, oregano, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
- Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender.
- Roll the mixture into meatballs about 1½ inches in diameter.
- Arrange the meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until lightly browned and cooked through.
- Meanwhile, heat the marinara sauce in a large skillet or Dutch oven.
- Transfer the baked meatballs to the simmering sauce and cook for 15–20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve hot over cooked pasta, creamy polenta, or toasted Italian bread. Garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Freshly grated Parmesan provides the best flavor.
- Soaked breadcrumbs help create tender meatballs.
- Handle the meat mixture gently to avoid dense meatballs.
- Baking reduces mess while keeping the meatballs juicy.
- Simmering in sauce enhances flavor and tenderness.
- Fresh parsley adds brightness and color.
- Homemade marinara offers the richest taste.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day.