These Giant Lazy Meatballs are a delicious, no-fuss version of the classic meatball dish. Made with a combination of ground beef and pork, seasoned with a variety of spices, and topped with tomato sauce and gooey melted cheese, they’re perfect for a comforting family meal. This recipe is quick to prepare and great for feeding a crowd.

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients:

For the Meatballs:

• 4 large slices stale white bread, crusts removed
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound ground pork
• 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley (optional)
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten

For the Top:

• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 2 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
• 1/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley

Directions:

1. Prepare the bread: Tear the stale bread into small pieces and place them in a bowl. Pour the milk over the bread and let it soak for a few minutes until softened.
2. Mix the meatball ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, salt, pepper, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, olive oil, grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, chopped parsley, and the soaked bread mixture. Add the lightly beaten eggs and mix everything together until well combined.
3. Shape the meatballs: Form the mixture into large meatballs, about the size of a tennis ball, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Cook the meatballs: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the meatballs for about 20-25 minutes, or until they are cooked through and golden brown.
5. Top the meatballs: While the meatballs are baking, heat the tomato sauce in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once the meatballs are done, remove them from the oven and spoon the tomato sauce over the top of each meatball. Sprinkle shredded Monterey Jack cheese and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano on top of the sauce.
6. Melt the cheese: Return the meatballs to the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh Italian parsley and serve the giant meatballs with your favorite side dish or over pasta. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts (per serving):

• Calories: Varies depending on portion size
• Fat: Varies (from meat, cheese, and oil)
• Carbs: Varies (from bread and sauces)
• Protein: Varies (from beef, pork, and cheese)

Why Homemade Meatballs?

There’s something special about homemade meatballs. While pre-made meatballs may seem convenient, they can’t quite replicate the juicy, tender, and flavorful texture of freshly made ones. Homemade meatballs are far more customizable, and they allow you to control the quality of the ingredients and the seasoning. This recipe blends two types of ground meat—beef and pork—to create a meatball that is both flavorful and moist, ensuring that each bite is tender and satisfying.

Making your own meatballs also gives you the freedom to adjust the seasonings to your taste. The combination of garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, cayenne pepper, and parsley creates a well-rounded flavor profile that enhances the meat without overpowering it. The bread soaked in milk adds an extra level of moisture, ensuring that the meatballs remain juicy throughout the cooking process.

Key Ingredients That Make These Meatballs Stand Out

1. Ground Beef and Ground Pork
The combination of ground beef and ground pork is the secret to creating juicy and flavorful meatballs. Beef adds a rich, hearty flavor, while pork contributes tenderness and moisture. This combination of meats provides the ideal balance of flavor and texture, making the meatballs tender on the inside with a deliciously crispy outer layer when baked.

Pork fat is also a key factor in maintaining the moisture of the meatballs. While ground beef alone can sometimes result in dry meatballs, the addition of pork ensures that they remain juicy even after baking. For best results, it’s important to use a good quality blend of beef and pork, which will create a well-balanced, flavorful meatball.

2. Stale Bread and Milk
The addition of stale bread soaked in milk is a time-honored technique for creating tender meatballs. The bread acts as a binder and adds moisture to the mixture, preventing the meatballs from becoming dense or dry. By soaking the bread in milk, you ensure that the meatballs stay soft and moist, which is essential for a perfect texture. This simple ingredient not only enhances the texture but also helps the meatballs hold together during baking.

This step is a great example of how the simplest ingredients can make a huge difference in the final result. While breadcrumbs are often used as a binder in meatball recipes, stale bread offers a softer, more delicate texture, making it an ideal choice.

3. Parmigiano-Reggiano and Fresh Parsley
Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese adds a salty, nutty depth of flavor to the meatball mixture. It enhances the overall richness of the meatballs, providing a subtle sharpness that complements the other seasonings. Freshly grated cheese is always preferable, as it has a more intense flavor and a better texture than pre-grated varieties. The Parmigiano-Reggiano also helps to bind the meatball mixture, adding a slightly firm texture while also keeping the meatballs moist.

Fresh parsley adds a touch of brightness and color, helping to balance the richness of the meat and cheese. It offers a mild, herbaceous flavor that complements the other ingredients without overwhelming them. Whether you choose to mix it into the meatball mixture or use it as a garnish, parsley adds a refreshing contrast to the savory meatballs.

4. Tomato Sauce and Cheese Topping
While the meatballs themselves are flavorful and satisfying, the addition of tomato sauce and melted cheese takes the dish to a whole new level. The rich tomato sauce, simmered with garlic and other seasonings, provides a tangy, savory base that complements the hearty meatballs perfectly. The sauce also helps to keep the meatballs moist and infuses them with extra flavor as they bake.

Topping the meatballs with Monterey Jack cheese and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano brings a gooey, melty finish that enhances the overall dish. The Monterey Jack melts beautifully, creating a creamy, cheesy topping that pairs wonderfully with the acidity of the tomato sauce. The Parmigiano-Reggiano adds a finishing touch of saltiness and sharpness, elevating the flavors to perfection.

The Cooking Process: How to Get Perfect Meatballs Every Time

Making these meatballs is a relatively straightforward process that involves mixing the ingredients, shaping the meatballs, and baking them in the oven. However, there are a few key steps to keep in mind to ensure that your meatballs turn out perfectly every time.

First, it’s important to soak the bread in milk until it becomes soft. This step prevents the meatballs from being dry and ensures a tender, juicy result. Make sure not to skip this step, as it’s the key to achieving the right texture.

When mixing the meatballs, be careful not to overwork the meat. Overmixing can lead to tough, dense meatballs, so aim to combine the ingredients just until everything is well incorporated. Gently form the mixture into meatballs that are about the size of a tennis ball. Uniformity in size ensures that they cook evenly.

Baking the meatballs is a great method to achieve a crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy. Baking also allows the meatballs to cook through without the need for frying, making the process cleaner and easier. Once the meatballs are cooked, topping them with tomato sauce and cheese and returning them to the oven for a few more minutes allows the cheese to melt and the flavors to meld together.

Serving Suggestions: How to Enjoy Your Meatballs

These homemade meatballs with tomato sauce and cheese can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Here are a few serving ideas:

• Classic Meatball Sub: Serve the meatballs in a toasted sub roll, topped with extra marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese for a classic Italian sandwich. This is perfect for a casual meal or a hearty lunch.
• With Pasta: Pair the meatballs with a plate of spaghetti, penne, or any of your favorite pasta shapes. The tomato sauce and cheese will meld beautifully with the pasta, making it a complete, satisfying meal.
• With a Side Salad: For a lighter option, serve the meatballs with a side salad of mixed greens, tomatoes, and a simple vinaigrette. The fresh salad helps to balance the richness of the meatballs.
• As an Appetizer: Serve the meatballs as an appetizer at a party or family gathering, accompanied by toothpicks or small skewers for easy serving.

Conclusion: A Timeless Favorite

These homemade meatballs with tomato sauce and cheese are a timeless favorite that brings comfort and satisfaction to any meal. With a blend of ground beef and pork, tender bread soaked in milk, flavorful seasonings, and the richness of cheese and tomato sauce, this dish is a perfect balance of savory, cheesy, and juicy goodness. Whether served on their own, with pasta, or as a sandwich, these meatballs are sure to please a crowd and become a staple in your recipe rotation. Easy to make, customizable, and full of flavor, they are the epitome of comfort food done right.