Marich
Flavorful Connoisseur
Today, I'm excited to share with you an incredible recipe for Chef John's Italian Meatballs. These meatballs are juicy, flavorful, and perfect for any pasta night or as a delicious appetizer. The secret to their amazing taste lies in soaking the breadcrumbs in milk and using a mix of beef and pork. Whether you're serving them with spaghetti or on their own, these meatballs are sure to impress. Let's get started! 
Ingredients:
- β cup plain bread crumbs
- Β½ cup milk
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- ΒΌ bunch fresh parsley, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herb seasoning
- Β½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 425Β°F (220Β°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly coat it with cooking spray.
- Soak the bread crumbs in milk in a small bowl for about 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring, until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and continue cooking until the onion is very tender, about 15 more minutes.
- In a large bowl, gently mix the ground beef and pork together. Add the cooked onions, soaked bread crumbs, eggs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic, salt, black pepper, Italian herb seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Combine the mixture using a rubber spatula until everything is well blended. Cover and refrigerate for about one hour.
- Form the mixture into balls about 1 Β½ inches in diameter and arrange them in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven until the meatballs are browned and cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes.
- Serve the meatballs hot and enjoy!
Note:Some recipes use a combination of beef, veal, and pork for an even richer flavor, though it can be more expensive. For ground beef, an 80% lean, 20% fat ratio works best for this recipe, but you can use a leaner mix if preferred. You can also substitute water or beef broth for the milk if you like.
Enjoy making and eating these delicious Italian meatballs!
Soaked breadcrumbs in milk and the mix of beef and pork? Genius! Thanks for sharing this fab recipe, can't wait to try it! 
Chef John's Italian Meatballs sound amazing! Juicy and flavorful meatballs with a mix of beef and pork, soaked breadcrumbs, and a blend of herbs and spices β perfect for any pasta night or appetizer. Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe! 
Thanks for the love, hope you dig the meatballs as much as I do! 
