Grandma's Italian Meatball

Grandma’s Italian meatball recipe is the ultimate comfort food to share with the family! Tender and juicy meatballs simmered in a simple yet rich tomato sauce and placed over spaghetti noodles or the pasta of your liking.

Three large beef meatballs on a bed of spaghetti noodles and topped with parmesan cheese

On our wedding day, I made a very special vow to my husband… “I promise to nurture, listen, comfort, and feed you, making sure to cook your grandmother’s famous meatballs at least once a month.”

It may seem like a silly promise. However, my husband Jason’s love for his Grandma’s Italian meatball recipe always brings him a sense of comfort and happiness. For me to be able to recreate a dish that he loves is important. His big smile is priceless when he walks through the door at the end of a long day and smells fresh tomato sauce simmering on the stove and meatballs broiling in the oven.

Like most Italian recipes there were no specific measurements. Grandma Rose just had a simple list of ingredients and method for the sauce and meatballs, the rest was intuition. I’ve made beef and pork meatballs many times over the years. Some turned out good, some not so much, I never actually wrote a recipe down myself, so it was different every time. I was on a mission to get as close to Grandma’s Italian meatball recipe with a tough critic to please, the hubby.

Prep Time 30 mins

Cook Time 2 hrs

Total Time 2 hrs 30 mins

Servings: 14 meatballs

Calories: 216kcal

Author: Jessica Gavin

INGREDIENTS

Tomato Sauce-

• 1/4 cup olive oil, (60ml)
• 1/2 cup yellow onions, (66g) minced
• 4 garlic cloves, (2 teaspoons, 6 g) minced
• 7 cups crushed canned tomatoes, (56 ounces) Cento Brand or San Marzano tomatoes
• 6 ounces tomato paste, use less if a thinner consistency is desired
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt, add more to taste

Grandma’s Meatballs-

• 2 pounds ground beef, (908g) 80% lean meat to 20% fat
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cloves garlic, (1 teaspoon, 3g) finely minced
• 1/2 cup yellow onion, (72g) finely minced
• 1 teaspoon ground pepper
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt, (16g)
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, (20g) freshly grated
• 1 cup breadcrumbs, (127g) grandma recommends Italian style, but plain okay
• fresh basil, (for garnish if desired)

INSTRUCTION

Tomato Sauce-

1. Heat olive oil over medium-low heat and sauté onion and garlic until onions are translucent, 3 minutes.
2. Add tomato paste and stir well.

Full read at https://www.jessicagavin.com/grandmas-italian-meatball-recipe/

Italian Pasta Salad

This Italian Pasta Salad is loaded with salami, pepperoni, cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, banana peppers, olives, basil, and tossed in an easy Italian dressing!

ITALIAN PASTA SALAD

I’ve been on a roll with pasta salads lately! I love to make them for picnics and to keep in the refrigerator to grab for a quick lunch! They’re also great to grab to take on a picnic to the park or beach which is something my family and I have been doing a lot of lately. We’ll wake up and just head out and go on an adventure. I’ll pack some things up in our cooler and we’re out the door! Having things like this Italian Pasta Salad on hand is great for when we get to our destination.

TIPS FOR THE PERFECT ITALIAN PASTA SALAD

• I do recommend making the dressing ahead of time so the flavors can really blend together. I make it the day ahead of time and when I’m ready to add the dressing I give it a good shake and it’s ready to go.
• Like any pasta salad it’s best to add the dressing before serving or you could also add a little and reserve some of the dressing to add right before serving.
• Chill the salad before adding the dressing really helps too. I like to chill the salad after I add all the ingredients before I toss it with the dressing. I think it just helps hold the dressing better.
• I usually shake salad dressings in a mason jar but for this one I use a food processor to really blend the flavors together. I’ve tried it both ways and it really makes a difference!

Course Side Dish

Servings 8

Author Jenn Dempsey

INGREDIENTS

Salad

• 1 pound penne pasta or similar
• 3 slices Genoa salami cut 1/2 inch thick pieces and cubed
• 1 cup halved pepperoni slices
• 1 cup mild banana pepper slices, roughly chopped
• 1 cup halved black olives
• 8 ounce mozzarella, cubed
• 1/2 cup julienne cut sun-dried tomatoes
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 1/2 cup freshly chopped basil
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• pinch red pepper flakes optional

Dressing

• 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon celery seed
• 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTION

Salad

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. 
2. Drain under cold water. Set aside to cool.
3. Once pasta has cooled, add pasta to a large bowl along with remaining salad ingredients.

Full read at http://www.motherthyme.com/2018/07/italian-pasta-salad.html

Wisconsin Cauliflower Soup

There’s a local restaurant chain called Zupas that serves soup, salads, and sandwiches. One of my favorites things there is their Wisconsin Cauliflower Soup. As good as that cheesy, creamy soup is, I wanted to create a lighter version.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 T . butter
• 1 medium sweet white or yellow onion finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 14.5 oz . can reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 2 lbs . cauliflower florets
• 1 c .regular or fat-free half-and-half
• 1/2 tsp . dry mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 c . shredded pepper jack cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
2. Add onion, and cook until soft, about 3-5 minutes.
3. Add garlic, and cook, stirring frequently, for about 30 seconds.

Full read at https://www.ihearteating.com/wisconsin-cauliflower-soup/

Crazy Crust Pizza

Crazy Crust Pizza - our new favorite pizza!! No rolling out dough - the crust is made from a liquid batter. Top the pizza with your favorite toppings. Flour, salt, Italian seasoning, eggs, milk, pepperoni, sausage, ham, pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese. We LOVE this pizza! We've been making it once a week for the past month. It is our go-to recipe!! #pizza #casserole

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 2 eggs
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1/2 pound pork sausage, cooked and crumbled
• 1 cup pepperoni slices
• 1/3 cup diced cooked ham
• 1-1/2 cups pizza sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 425ºF. Lightly spray a 15x10-inch rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. Set aside.
2. Whisk together flour, salt, Italian seasoning, pepper, eggs and milk.

For full instruction, you can go to: https://www.plainchicken.com