When you think of an Italian staple, there’s no doubt that your mind immediately drifts to a pasta dish of some sort, ideally one with tender meat that’s topped with a hefty portion of cheese. At Strega, we believe there’s truly nothing that makes a pasta greater than the perfect meatball. Check out our certified tips for cooking the best Italian meatballs below!
Use The Right Ground Meat
The ground meat you select is perhaps the most important part of making amazing, authentic Italian meatballs. Though you may be feeling extra creative and want to grind your own meat using high-quality chuck, it is often best to skip this step to save time and purchase a good 80/20 beef blend. If you want to incorporate other flavorful meats into your meatballs, consider adding ground pork for an extra burst of juiciness.
Seasonings Are Your Friend
Even though premium meats will inherently have a delicious flavor, you shouldn’t let that stop you from using fragrant herbs and other fresh seasonings to create your meatballs! Basic Italian herb staples like oregano and basil are must-haves for meatballs. Dried herbs are perfectly fine to use, so don’t worry if you aren’t able to collect any fresh ones before prepping your meal! Finely mincing garlic and adding it to your meat mixture works wonders, too. If you’re not confident in your micing skills, you can grate the garlic using a microplane – it will essentially melt into the ground meat, so the texture isn’t so detectable. Of course, don’t forget to use a healthy amount of salt and pepper too!
Don’t Forget the Cheese!
Cheese isn’t just for topping off your pasta once you’re finished preparing the meal. Adding grated Parmesan to your meatball mixture before cooking boosts the flavor while giving it some added tenderness. It’s also the perfect addition for creating a delicious crust, should you decide to bake your meatballs instead.
Make Your Own Breadcrumbs
Yes, the supermarket has an abundance of breadcrumbs just waiting to be used, but where is the fun in that? Making your own breadcrumbs is easy and keeps you from wasting any leftover bread you may have from a nearly-finished loaf. Covering pieces of stale bread with olive oil, salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices, and toasting them in an oven for about 15 minutes yields the most delicious breadcrumbs. To break down the toasted bread, use a food processor or a blender. These breadcrumbs are usually good for about a week, but if you freeze them, they can be kept for around 3-4 months!
Cook The Meatballs In The Sauce
Often, home cooks make the mistake of cooking the meatballs entirely separate from the sauce. This method can cause you to miss out on a whole world of flavor! Give your meatballs a light sear in a pan so they are softly browned, and then cook them in your pasta sauce. This allows the full depth of the sauce to make its way into the meatballs, giving you the perfect bite every time.
Visit Strega For An Incredible Italian Meal in Boston
Strega is the North End’s go-to spot for immaculate Italian cuisine. Here, we have something for everybody, whether you’re looking for a traditional pasta with meatballs or a savory Stuffed Veal Chop with ultra-soft and creamy whipped potatoes. Book your dinner, brunch, or lunch reservation with us today!
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