Italian Ground Beef Meatballs

Facts

Organic, Grass-Fed Ground beef is affordable, versatile and delicious. For families looking to get ahead for busy weeks, recipes using Grass-Fed Ground Beef can be prepared and stored in batches in the freezer for quick meals. Best, it does not get dry or compromise flavor by freezing. I recommend storing with as little air as possible to avoid ice crystals from forming.

Organic, Grass-Fed Beef is rich in Antioxidants and Vitamins A, B6, B12, D and E, offering immunity boosting qualities. Grass-Fed Beef contains significant amounts of Omega 3 Fatty Acids, specifically the strand Alpha-Linolenic Acid (this is derived from consuming a grass-fed diet), which helps to reduce the risk of Heart Disease and reduce Cholesterol.

Italian Meatballs Cooked.jpg

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients: 

2# Markegard Family Grass-Fed Ground Beef 

3 Eggs

¾ Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese

1 Medium Yellow Onion, Medium Dice

1 Tablespoon Garlic, Chopped

1 Cup Toasted Bread Crumbs

1 Cup Whole Milk

1 Bunch Fresh Italian Parsley, Chopped 

1 Bunch Fresh Oregano, Chopped

1 Fresh Bay Leaf

1 Tablespoon Fennel Seed, Toasted

1 teaspoon Crushed Red Chili Flake

¼ Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

½ teaspoon Black Ground Pepper

Salt to Taste (begin by adding 2 teaspoons)

Italian Meatballs Raw.jpg

Method: 

  1. In Saute Pan with 2 Tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, sweat the Yellow Onions with Garlic and Bay Leaf.

  2. Once the onions begin to soften, remove the Bay Leaf and add them to a large Mixing Bowl with all of the listed ingredients (except the rest of the Olive Oil) and mix until all of the ingredients are well incorporated.

  3. Cook off a piece to taste for salt before forming and searing all of your meatballs.

  4. Once perfectly seasoned, roll meatballs into the desired size, I typically do 3 oz meatballs.

  5.  Heat up the remaining Olive Oil and sear them on both sides. 

Helpful Tips and Notes

  • Depending on how large the Meatballs are, you may be able to finish them on the stovetop – you can always add a small amount of moisture like stock or water to the pan and cover them with a lid for a few minutes to steam and speed up the cooking time. You can also finish them in the oven.

  • With these Meatballs, I really enjoy a super simple and straight forward tomato sauce and Fresh Basil.

  • Handmade Pasta is a fun project once you have a stock of these to use up!

Recipe by Isabelle Jackson Nunes

Ground BeefMarkegard Family Grass-FedComment