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Sicilian Meatballs

These Sicilian Meatballs are filled with pine nuts & currants then seared, and simmered in a no fuss, garlicky tomato sauce. 
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 400kcal

Ingredients

For the meatballs

  • 2 slices white bread crust removed
  • cup whole milk
  • 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef
  • 2 large eggs lightly beaten
  • 4 cloves garlic finely chopped
  • ¼ cup Italian flat-leaf parsley finely chopped
  • 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh oregano
  • ½ cup finely grated parmesan cheese plus extra for serving
  • cup dried currants
  • ¼ cup pine nuts
  • ¼ cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground allspice
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil for frying

For the sauce

  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic thinly sliced
  • 1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 15 ounce can tomato sauce
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Begin by placing the white bread in a bowl. Cover with the milk - ensuring that all of the bread is moistened by the milk. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes while you get the rest of the ingredients together.
  • Place the ground beef in a large mixing bowl. Add the soaked bread (crumble it between your fingers into very small pieces to ensure it gets evenly incorporated), eggs, garlic, parsley, oregano, parmesan cheese, currants, pine nuts, breadcrumbs, salt, allspice, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Work the meat together with your hands, making sure all of the ingredients are evenly incorporated. Be careful to not overwork your meat - or else you can end up with tough, dry meatballs! Form the meat into golf ball-sized meatballs - you should get 20-22 meatballs total.
  • Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Once hot, add the meatballs in batches, cooking for about 2 minutes per side, 4-5 minutes total, rolling them around on all sides for even cooking, until golden brown on the outside. Transfer meatballs to a rimmed baking sheet or plate.
  • Meanwhile, make the sauce. In a large pot or dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds - 1 minute or until fragrant. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and salt. Stir to combine. Cover and bring sauce to a simmer. Once simmering, add the meatballs, gently stirring them into the sauce. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for at least 30 minutes. An hour or longer is even better!
  • Season to taste the sauce with additional salt if needed. Serve meatballs with freshly grated parm, a baguette, pasta, or as a meatball sandwich!

Notes

  • Soak the bread in milk for 5-10 minutes to ensure it's fully moistened before adding it to the meat mixture.
  • Be gentle when mixing the meatball mixture to avoid overworking the meat, which can result in tough meatballs.
  • Form the meatballs into evenly sized golf ball-shaped balls for consistent cooking.
  • Fry the meatballs in batches, turning them to brown all sides evenly.
  • Use a nonstick skillet for frying the meatballs to prevent sticking.
  • Simmer the meatballs in the sauce for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the meatballs to fully cook through.
  • Adjust the salt and seasoning to taste for the sauce.
  • Serve the meatballs with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, pasta, baguette, or as a sandwich, based on your preference.
  • Consider making a larger batch of meatballs and freezing for future use or meal prep.
  • Experiment with variations such as using different ground meats, adding herbs or spices to customize the flavor, or adjusting the texture by changing the type of bread used in the meatball mixture.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Serving | Calories: 400kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 100mg | Sodium: 600mg | Fiber: 2g