How to Make Your Own Meatballs

Homemade meatballs are easy to make.

Making your own meatballs from scratch is not very difficult and can provide the base for any number of dishes. Add them to a flavored tomato sauce, toss with pasta and you've got spaghetti and meatballs. Or add to a beef broth-based sauce with sour cream, and you've got beef stroganoff. All you need are a few simple ingredients to make homemade meatballs, and then you can dress them up any way you want.

Things You'll Need

• 2 lbs. ground beef
• 1 large egg
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 medium onion, diced
• Salt
• Pepper
• 2 cups crumbled bread
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup water
• Large bowl
• Skillet
• Meat thermometer
• Paper towel

Instructions

1. Mix your ingredients together. Add your egg, garlic, onion and salt and pepper to taste, and beat together. Add in your bread and water, and stir to combine.

2. Add your meat. Using your hands, gently incorporate the meat into the mixture until it is evenly dispersed throughout the meat. If the mixture is too wet, add more bread; if it is too dry, add more water. Roll the mixture into desired shape of meatballs.

3. Preheat your olive oil in a skillet on medium heat. While the oil is heating, roll your mixture into your desired size of meatballs. Smaller meatballs cook faster than larger ones.

4. Cook your meatballs. Add your meatballs to the oil, and cook on all sides of the meatballs until they are browned. Make sure meatballs are cooked through. If you are unsure, use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature is 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

5. Drain the meatballs. Place the meatballs on a paper towel to drain any excess grease. You can now eat your meatballs as is or add them to your favorite sauce.

References

• "The Family Circle Encyclopedia of Cooking"; Editors of "Family Circle"; 1990
• U.S. Department of Agriculture: Meat Preparation