Polpette (Italian Meatballs)

These tasty Italian meatballs (polpette) start off in the oven, and finish by simmering in a simple tomato sauce. We love them as a main dish, with a side of sautéed zucchini and a salad.

Preparation Details

Prep Time: 30 mins

Cook Time: 40 mins

Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground sweet Italian pork sausage
• 1 pound ground beef
• 2/3 cup minced shallot
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• 1/4 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
• 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (see Note)
• 1 cup water
• 2 (24- ounce) jars tomato puree
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian herb seasoning blend
• salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, or as needed
• fresh basil leaves

Steps

1. Combine sausage, ground beef, shallot, Parmesan cheese, and breadcrumbs in a large bowl. Use a wooden spoon to break up the ground meat and roughly mix ingredients together. Stir in beaten eggs, milk, and black pepper. Use your hands to mix all ingredients well.
2. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
3. Pour water into a shallow bowl, and moisten fingertips and palms with water. Shape meatball mixture into about 40 ping-pong sized balls and place on the prepared sheet pan. When fingers become sticky, dip them in water.
4. Bake meatballs in the preheated oven until lightly browned and a bit underdone in the center, about 20 minutes. If meatballs are larger, adjust baking time.
5. Pour tomato purée into a large sauce pot or a Dutch oven set over medium-low heat. Stir in minced garlic and Italian herbs. Sample the sauce for seasoning, and adjust, if needed.
6. When sauce begins to bubble slightly, add meatballs and stir gently, coating all the meatballs with sauce. Keep meatballs and sauce at a low simmer and cook, uncovered, about 20 minutes.
7. To serve, place meatballs and sauce on a plate, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, garnish with fresh basil leaves, and sprinkle with additional grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.