Big Spicy Meatballs
Photography: Photo: Dana Gallagher; 
| Servings:Makes 16 large meatballs (Serving size: 1 meatball) | Prep Time:20 minutes | Cook Time:n/a |
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 2 pounds ground pork
- 1 medium onion, minced
- 2 slices soft bread, crusts removed and torn into pieces
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan
- 3 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta
- cholesterol:121 mg
- iron:2 mg
- fat:23 g
- fiber:0 g
- calories:342
- sodium:627 mg
- saturated fat:9 g
- calories from fat:61 %
- protein:28 mg
- carbohydrate:4 g
- calcium:151 mg
directions
Preheat oven to 400° F.
In a large bowl, combine the first 10 ingredients, 1 cup of the Parmesan, and 2 teaspoons of the pepper. Mix just to combine. Shape the mixture into 16 to 18 large meatballs (each should be about ¾ cup of meat). Place on a baking pan and set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta with the remaining Parmesan and the remaining pepper; set aside.
Bake the meatballs for 20 minutes in upper third of oven. Remove from oven and turn on broiler. Spoon 1 tablespoon of the ricotta mixture onto each meatball. Broil 3 to 5 minutes or until the ricotta just starts to brown. Serve the meatballs with jarred marinara sauce.
To Freeze: Omit the ricotta mixture. Place the baked meatballs on a baking sheet and freeze for at least 1 hour. Transfer to resealable freezer bags and return to the freezer. Store for up to 3 months.
To Reheat: Thaw the meatballs overnight in the refrigerator or thaw partially in the microwave. Place them in a baking dish, cover with foil, and heat in a 350° F oven for 20 minutes. Top with the ricotta mixture and broil as described above. Serve on top of the warmed pasta sauce.
