Sicilian Meatballs

Meatballs flavored with garlic, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, and crushed crackers are baked in tomato sauce in this Sicilian-inspired recipe.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 35 mins
• Total Time: 60 mins
• Calories: 587 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 pounds ground sirloin
• 1 ½ teaspoons dried parsley
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes
• 1 pinch salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• ¾ cup crushed buttery round crackers (such as Ritz®)
• ⅓ cup chunky pasta sauce

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Coat the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish with pasta sauce.

Step 2

Place ground sirloin, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, crushed crackers, egg, garlic, parsley, allspice, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper in a large bowl; mix by hand until combined. Form mixture into meatballs slightly larger than golf balls.

Step 3

Arrange meatballs over sauce in the baking dish. Cover baking dish with aluminum foil.

Step 4

Bake in the preheated oven until juices run clear, about 30 minutes. Uncover and continue baking until meatballs start to brown, 5 to 7 minutes.