🍝 The Moistest Italian-American Meatballs

Rich, tender, and full of flavor — a Drizzle favorite.

Indulge in the rich and savory flavors of The Moistest Italian-American Meatballs. This comforting classic is a highlight of Italian-American cooking, brought to you by Drizzle. With their juicy, melt-in-your-mouth texture and bold seasoning, these meatballs are guaranteed to become a staple at your table. Join our community of food lovers and experience food in a whole new way.

🛒 Ingredients

• About 6 ounces fresh white bread (crustless), cut into small ½-inch cubes (approx. 2½ cups loosely packed)

• ⅓ cup buttermilk, plus a little more if needed

• 2 cups finely chopped yellow onion (from one large onion)

• 3 ounces fatty pancetta, minced (about ¾ cup)

• 2 ounces grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (approx. 1¼ cups), plus more for topping if desired

• 8 medium garlic cloves, finely minced (about 2½ tablespoons)

• ½ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley (approx. 2½ tablespoons once minced)

• 1 or 2 large egg yolks

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1/2 teaspoon ground fennel seed

• 1 tablespoon kosher salt

• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• 1½ pounds ground beef

• Your favorite tomato sauce, for topping

👩‍🍳 Directions

1. Soak the Bread (this is called a Panade)
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the cubed white bread and buttermilk. Let sit for a few minutes until the bread absorbs the liquid and becomes soft. Add a touch more buttermilk if needed to fully moisten the bread.

2. Mix the Aromatics
   Add the finely chopped onion, minced pancetta, grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, garlic, parsley, egg yolks, oregano, fennel seed, salt, and black pepper to the bowl with the soaked bread. Mix until well combined.

3. Add the Meat
   Gently fold in the ground beef. Use your hands to mix everything together thoroughly but avoid overworking the meat to keep the texture light and tender.

4. Form the Meatballs
   Shape the mixture into evenly sized meatballs (about golf ball-sized or slightly larger, depending on preference).

5. Cook and Top
   Pan-fry, bake, or simmer the meatballs until fully cooked through. Serve hot, topped with your favorite tomato sauce and a generous sprinkle of extra Parmigiano-Reggiano if desired.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Pair with spaghetti, layer into a meatball sub, or serve as a party appetizer with toothpicks. However you enjoy them, these meatballs are all about depth, tenderness, and irresistible Italian-American flavor.