These Broiled Italian Meatballs bring a rustic, homestyle Italian flavor straight to your kitchen. Juicy ground beef is mixed with chopped spinach, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and breadcrumbs for a hearty yet light texture. The recipe’s charm lies in its simplicity and the broiling method, which gives the meatballs a crisp exterior while locking in moisture. This dish perfectly blends the savory notes of garlic and Parmesan with the freshness of spinach, making it ideal for pasta, sandwiches, or even served solo as a protein-rich appetizer. It’s a comforting, timeless meal that’s both wholesome and flavorful, embodying the heart of Italian-American home cooking.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 egg (slightly beaten)
- 1 cup spinach (cooked, chopped, well drained)
- 1 cup bread crumbs (fine, dry)
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese (grated )
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- ½ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp dried oregano
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat Oven
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly oil a shallow baking pan with sides.
- Mix the meatball mixture:
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, beaten egg, spinach, ½ cup of the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic, salt, pepper, and oregano. Mix lightly until just combined, don’t overmix.
Step 2: Form the meatballs
- Shape the mixture into 1½-inch balls.
Step 3: Coat the meatballs
- Roll each meatball in the remaining ½ cup of bread crumbs to coat.
Step 4: Broil
- Arrange the meatballs in a single layer on the prepared pan.
- Broil for about 20 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 160°F/71°C).
Step 5: Serve
- Serve hot, as an appetizer, in pasta, or on a sandwich!
Tips
- Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Add a dash of crushed red pepper flakes for mild heat.
- Mix in fresh herbs like basil or parsley for extra freshness.
- Use panko instead of regular breadcrumbs for a crispier crust.
- Freeze uncooked meatballs for up to 3 months for quick future meals.
Transcription of the Original Recipe
Read or copy the transcription
Big Gail
here is the Recipe of
The Meat Balls
BROILED ITALIAN Meat Balls
preheat oven to 375 degrees.
1 pound hamburger
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 cup cooked chopped spinach,
well drained
1 cup fine dry bread crumbs
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
1 clove garlic, minced
½ teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon Pepper
½ teaspoon oregano
Combine hamburger, egg, spinach, ½ cup of the
bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and
seasonings. Mix lightly but well. Form into
1½-inch balls and roll in remaining ½ cup
bread crumbs. Broil in an oiled shallow pan
with sides for 20 minutes or until done.From Transcription to Instructions
Gail’s card is delightfully short, so we kept her ingredients and the 375°F broil but broke that compact paragraph into clear steps so you (and your hands) don’t have to guess which half-cup of crumbs goes in the mix and which you roll the balls in. The card’s “until done” is faithful shorthand, so the saved page gently adds arranging the meatballs in a single layer and an internal temperature (160°F) to tell you when they’re safely cooked , same recipe, easier to follow.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 280kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 23gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 480mgPotassium: 360mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1300IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 150mgIron: 2.5mg
