Print

Bobby Flay’s Italian Meatball Recipe

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Bobby Flay’s Italian meatball recipe delivers tender, juicy meatballs simmered in a rich homemade tomato sauce. These classic Italian meatballs are full of fresh herbs, Parmesan cheese, and soaked bread for unbeatable flavor and texture — perfect for spaghetti, meatball subs, or enjoying on their own. A comforting, crowd-pleasing recipe that’s freezer-friendly and easy to make!

Ingredients

  • For the meatballs:
  • 1½ lbs ground beef
  • 2 slices white bread, crusts removed
  • ½ cup milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • Olive oil, for searing
  • For the tomato sauce:
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped

Instructions

  1. Soak bread slices in milk until soft, then squeeze out excess liquid.
  2. In a large bowl, mix ground beef, soaked bread, eggs, Parmesan, parsley, basil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Do not overmix.
  3. Shape into golf ball-sized meatballs.
  4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven and brown meatballs on all sides in batches. Set aside.
  5. In the same pan, sauté onion until translucent. Add garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 1 minute.
  6. Stir in crushed tomatoes, season with salt and pepper, and simmer for 10 minutes.
  7. Return meatballs to the sauce, cover, and simmer for 30–40 minutes.
  8. Stir in fresh basil before serving. Serve with pasta, bread, or as desired.

Notes

  • Don’t overmix the meat mixture — it keeps the meatballs tender.
  • You can bake the meatballs at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes instead of pan-frying.
  • Meatballs can be made with ground turkey or a beef/pork blend.
  • Add ricotta to the mix for extra moistness.
  • Skip searing and simmer meatballs directly in the sauce for a softer texture.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookedbymaya.com/bobby-flays-italian-meatball-recipe/