Ina Garten’s Tender Veal Meatballs Recipe: Simple & Savory

Veal meatballs represent a luxurious twist on traditional comfort food that elevates any dining experience.

Rich, tender, and packed with complex flavors, these delicate spheres transform an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Crafted with premium ground meats and carefully selected herbs, the recipe promises a sophisticated approach to classic cuisine.

Subtle Italian influences shine through each carefully blended ingredient, creating a harmonious balance of textures and tastes.

Sophisticated home cooks appreciate the nuanced techniques required to achieve perfect moistness and depth of flavor.

Precise seasoning and expert mixing techniques distinguish these meatballs from standard preparations, making them a standout dish for discerning palates: Get ready to impress everyone at your table.

Why Veal Meatballs Steal the Show

• Savor Flavor Explosion: These meatballs combine veal, pork, and sausage with a symphony of herbs and cheeses, creating an incredibly rich and complex taste profile that dances on your palate.
• Master Gourmet Technique: Ina Garten's recipe elevates simple meatballs into a professional-level dish by using precise techniques like garlic-infused oil, careful mixing, and two-step cooking method of roasting then simmering.
• Effortless Elegance: Despite looking sophisticated, these meatballs are surprisingly straightforward to prepare, requiring only basic kitchen skills and standard ingredients, making gourmet cooking accessible to home chefs.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for dinner parties, family gatherings, or cozy weeknight meals, these meatballs can be served over pasta, alongside crusty bread, or as an appetizer that will impress everyone at the table.

What Goes into Ina’s Veal Meatballs

• Ground Veal: Classic meat choice with delicate flavor, best when fresh and from a trusted butcher.
• Ground Pork: Adds richness and moisture to the meatball mixture, select with good fat content.
• Sausage: Provides additional depth of flavor, preferably mild Italian style.

• Eggs: Helps bind the meatball mixture together, room temperature preferred.
• Whole Milk: Adds moisture and helps create tender texture.
• Ricotta Cheese: Contributes creamy smoothness and light texture to meatballs.
• Parmesan Cheese, Pecorino Cheese: Provides sharp, salty flavor and helps bind ingredients.

• Breadcrumbs: Creates light texture and helps absorb moisture.
• Garlic: Adds robust flavor, fresh is always best.
• Fresh Parsley: Brings fresh herbal notes to the mixture.
• Ground Fennel: Provides subtle anise-like flavor.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for balanced taste.
• Olive Oil: Used for cooking garlic and brushing meatballs, extra virgin recommended.
• Marinara Sauce: Completes the dish with classic Italian flavor.

Cooking Juicy Veal Meatballs

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 425°F (220°C). Position two racks evenly inside the oven for perfect cooking.

Step 2: Create Fragrant Garlic Infusion

Pour olive oil into a small sauté pan over gentle heat. Sprinkle in minced garlic and let it dance for about 30 seconds until wonderfully aromatic. Let the mixture cool down completely.

Step 3: Blend Meat Mixture

• Ground veal
• Ground pork
• Crumbled sausage
• Breadcrumbs
• Parmesan cheese
• Pecorino cheese
• Fresh parsley
• Ground fennel
• Salt
• Black pepper

Gently fold ingredients together using a fork.

Step 4: Introduce Creamy Elements

• Beaten eggs
• Whole milk
• Ricotta cheese
• Cooled garlic-oil blend

Mix everything lightly but thoroughly.

Step 5: Shape Delectable Morsels

With slightly damp hands, scoop out 2½ to 3-ounce portions using an ice cream scoop. Roll each portion into perfect spheres. Arrange meatballs one inch apart on two sheet pans. Generously brush with remaining olive oil.

Step 6: Roast To Golden Perfection

Slide the sheet pans into the oven and roast for 25 to 30 minutes until they turn a beautiful golden brown.

Step 7: Bathe In Marinara

Pour marinara sauce into a large pot and bring to a gentle simmer. Carefully nestle the roasted meatballs into the sauce. Let them simmer together for 10 minutes.

Step 8: Serve With Love

Plate the meatballs while piping hot. Optional: Add extra marinara sauce for dipping and dunking.

Kitchen Tips for Veal Meatball Success

• Select Premium Meat: Choose high-quality ground veal from a trusted butcher for the most tender and flavorful meatballs.
• Blend Herbs Carefully: Chop fresh parsley and basil finely to distribute evenly throughout the meat mixture, ensuring balanced flavor in every bite.
• Rest the Mixture: Refrigerating the meat mixture allows ingredients to meld together and helps meatballs maintain their perfect shape during cooking.
• Check Seasoning First: Quickly pan-fry a small test meatball to taste and adjust salt, pepper, or herbs before cooking the entire batch.
• Simmer Slowly: Gently cook meatballs in sauce to prevent toughening, allowing them to absorb rich, delicious flavors while staying incredibly tender.

How to Store Meatballs the Right Way

• Freeze Wisely: Lock in maximum flavor by cooling meatballs completely before freezing. Transfer to heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Label with date and contents, ensuring they stay fresh for up to 3 months without quality loss.
• Refrigerate Strategically: Seal cooled meatballs in airtight glass containers to maintain moisture and prevent odor absorption. Place in the coldest part of the refrigerator, keeping them delicious and safe for 3 days. Always use clean utensils when handling to prevent bacterial contamination.
• Reheat Perfectly: Revive meatballs by nestling them in marinara sauce before warming. Choose oven method for best texture, heating at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Creative Swaps for Veal Meatballs

• Mediterranean Herb Burst: Enhance the meatballs by adding fresh chopped rosemary, thyme, and oregano to the meat mixture for a vibrant Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Spicy Calabrian Kick: Incorporate finely chopped hot Calabrian chili peppers and a touch of red pepper flakes to give the meatballs a zesty, fiery edge that awakens the palate.
• Cheesy Fontina Center: Create a surprise center by inserting a small cube of creamy fontina cheese in the middle of each meatball before roasting, resulting in a molten cheese surprise when bitten.
• Wild Mushroom Fusion: Fold finely chopped sautéed porcini or shiitake mushrooms into the meat mixture to add an earthy, umami-rich dimension to the classic meatball recipe.

Farewell Notes on This Hearty Dish

Succulent Ina Garten veal meatballs showcase culinary mastery with Mediterranean flair.

Complex flavor profiles dance through each carefully crafted bite, blending traditional Italian techniques with modern elegance.

Garlic-infused olive oil provides subtle richness, while multiple meat selections guarantee profound depth.

Restaurant-quality results emerge from simple home kitchen preparations, making gourmet cooking accessible.

Meatball enthusiasts will discover pure gastronomic pleasure in this recipe’s harmonious ingredients.

Passionate cooks, share this delectable revelation, comment below, and spread deliciousness across social networks!

Ina Garten Veal Meatballs Recipe

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4.8 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s veal meatballs bring Italian comfort straight to your kitchen with rich, savory flavors. Tender meat mixed with herbs and Parmesan creates a delightful dish that transports diners to a charming Roman trattoria.

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Ingredients

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Meat:

• 1 pound ground veal
• 1 pound ground pork
• 0.5 pound sweet Italian sausage (casings removed and meat crumbled)

Cheese and Dairy:

• 0.5 cup grated Italian Parmesan cheese (2 ounces)
• 0.25 cup grated Italian Pecorino cheese (1 ounce)
• 0.75 cup whole milk
• 0.75 cup fresh whole-milk ricotta
• 2 extra-large eggs (lightly beaten)

Other Ingredients:

• 0.5 cup good olive oil (divided)
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic (2 cloves)
• 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs (such as Progresso)
• 0.5 cup minced fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon ground fennel
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 (32-ounce) jars good marinara sauce (such as Rao’s)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the aromatic garlic-infused oil by gently heating olive oil in a small sauté pan over medium-low temperature. Add finely minced garlic and sauté for approximately 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to brown. Allow the oil to cool completely.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, carefully combine ground veal, ground pork, and crumbled sausage. Incorporate breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, Pecorino cheese, finely chopped parsley, ground fennel seeds, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Blend ingredients delicately using a fork to maintain a light texture.
3. Introduce beaten eggs, whole milk, ricotta cheese, and the previously prepared garlic-infused oil into the meat mixture. Fold ingredients gently but thoroughly, ensuring even distribution without overmixing.
4. Dampen hands to prevent sticking and portion the meat mixture using a 2¼-inch (5.7 cm) ice cream scoop, creating uniform 2½ to 3-ounce (70-85 grams) meatballs. Arrange them with slight separation on two rimmed baking sheets.
5. Generously brush the meatballs with remaining olive oil to enhance browning and moisture retention.
6. Position oven racks in the middle and upper thirds of a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C). Roast meatballs for 25 to 30 minutes until they develop a golden-brown exterior and reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
7. Meanwhile, warm marinara sauce in a large pot until it reaches a gentle simmer. Carefully transfer roasted meatballs into the sauce and allow them to simmer for 10 minutes, which helps further develop flavors and ensures complete cooking.
8. Present the meatballs immediately, accompanied by additional marinara sauce for those desiring extra sauce, and garnish with fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

• Savor the rich, authentic flavors by selecting top-quality, farm-fresh ingredients that elevate the entire dish’s taste profile.
• Handle meat mixture with a delicate touch, mixing minimally to prevent tough, dense meatballs that lack the desired tender texture.
• Refrigerate the prepared mixture for half an hour, allowing ingredients to meld and helping meatballs maintain their perfect shape during cooking.
• Perform a quick taste test by pan-frying a small meatball, ensuring seasoning hits the right balance before committing to the full batch.
• Gently nestle meatballs into simmering sauce, letting them absorb complex flavors while maintaining their delicate, melt-in-your-mouth consistency.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4 meatballs (approximately 165g)
• Calories: 282
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 126mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Carbohydrates: 32g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 16g
• Cholesterol: 74mg