Frankies' Meatballs

Name: Frankies' Meatballs
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Yield: 15 meatballs (5 servings)
Ingredients: 4 slices plain white bread, torn into large pieces (about 2 packed cups); 2 pounds ground beef (90 percent lean, no fattier); 3 medium garlic cloves, minced; 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves; 1/4 cup finely grated Pecorino Romano, plus more for serving; 1/4 cup pine nuts; 1/4 cup raisins; 1 1/2 teaspoons fine salt; 15 turns freshly ground white pepper; 4 large eggs; 1/2 cup dried plain breadcrumbs; 12 cups (3 quarts) tomato sauce, such as our Basic Tomato Sauce (see Game Plan note)

Manhattan Outer Boroughs Italian Dinner Party Beef Ground Beef Parsley Meatballs Garlic Tomatoes Dinner Italian-American Brooklyn Food and Dating Cheese Comfort Food Main Dish Easy Breadcrumbs

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15 meatballs (5 servings) Easy

Total: 1 hr 30 mins

9 Ratings

Ingredients (12)

4 slices plain white bread, torn into large pieces (about 2 packed cups)
2 pounds ground beef (90 percent lean, no fattier)
3 medium garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
1/4 cup finely grated Pecorino Romano, plus more for serving
1/4 cup pine nuts
1/4 cup raisins
1 1/2 teaspoons fine salt
15 turns freshly ground white pepper
4 large eggs
1/2 cup dried plain breadcrumbs
12 cups (3 quarts) tomato sauce, such as our Basic Tomato Sauce (see Game Plan note)

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Nutritional Information

Calories279
Fat15.96g
Saturated fat5.3g
Trans fat0.72g
Carbs19.53g
Fiber3.71g
Sugar9.23g
Protein16.2g
Cholesterol92.54mg
Sodium1054.51mg
Nutritional Analysis per serving (15 servings) Powered by

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Frank Falcinelli, one of the two Franks behind the popular Frankies Spuntino in New York City, learned this dish from his Naples-born, Brooklyn-raised friend Tony Durazzo. Tony is the inspiration for the raisins and pine nuts—they add texture and a hint of sweetness. Two factors that will make or break your meatballs: a good sauce, and using 90 percent lean meat, no fattier. (Note that this is the baked meatballs recipe from the Frankies Spuntino cookbook; there’s also a pan-fried version, which is what the Franks demonstrate in their My Go-To Dish video for CHOW.)

Game plan: You’ll need to make the tomato sauce before you begin.

Adapted from "The Frankies Spuntino Kitchen Companion & Cooking Manual" by Frank Falcinelli, Frank Castronovo, and Peter Meehan

Tips for Beef, Ground Beef, and Meatballs

Tip

How to Thaw Beef

As with most meat, the safest way to thaw beef is in the refrigerator. Small cuts of beef can take up to 24 hours, while larger slabs can take a few days. If you’re in a pinch, frozen beef can be thawed in a bowl or container of lukewarm water. Place the bowl or container in the sink and leave under a running faucet. Never allow raw beef to thaw or sit on a counter or cutting board. Since it takes longer to thaw than most meats, it is more susceptible to bacteria growth.

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Next: How to Freeze Beef

Tip

How to Freeze Beef

In order to effectively freeze beef, you’ll want to limit its exposure to air. This not only prevents the production of freezer burn, but also extends its shelf life to three months or longer. The best way to package beef is to wrap it tightly in freezer paper or plastic wrap. You should then wrap the meat in a layer of aluminum foil or place it in a plastic bag.

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Next: How to Store Beef

Tip

How to Store Beef

For ground beef, keep refrigerated and use within one to two days. It can stay in its original container if the packaging hasn’t been opened. Steaks follow the same protocol, but can last a bit longer at three to five days. It’s actually best to allow a little airflow with stored meat, as tightly-adhered plastic like Saran wrap can make meat sweat and, as a result, less tender. Meat can be transferred to plastic containers, but should be covered loosely.

Never refrigerate raw meat if it’s been sitting out beyond two hours.

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Next: How to Pick Ground Beef

Tip

How to Pick Ground Beef

The possibilities with ground beef are seemingly endless, though you’ll probably want to pay the most attention to cost and fat content. Naturally, the lower the fat content, the higher the price. A leaner meat; however, may not taste as moist and flavorful, so keep that in mind if you’re making a meal that’s prone to dryness (like meatloaf or hamburgers). Sometimes the extra fat can make or break a dish.

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Next: How to Thaw Ground Beef

Tip

How to Thaw Ground Beef

Like other meats, the best way to thaw ground beef is to leave it in the refrigerator. If you’re in a pinch, take out your frozen meat and place it on a plate under running cold water. A microwave may also work, but it is likely to start cooking your meat, which you’ll want to avoid.

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Next: How to Store Meatballs

Tip

How to Store Meatballs

Cooked meatballs can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to four days. You can also individually wrap larger meatballs in aluminum foil for maximum freshness.

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Next: How to Freeze Meatballs

Tip

How to Freeze Meatballs

To freeze meatballs, simply transfer them from the fridge if they are already stored in appropriate airtight packaging. If not, meatballs can be placed in a freezer-safe container or bag. Be sure to eliminate as much air as possible prior to storing and you'll have fresh meatballs up to four months after freezing.

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Next: How to Thaw Meatballs

Tip

How to Thaw Meatballs

Meatballs can thawed in a microwave, but be sure to turn them frequently and consume immediately. You can also bake frozen meatballs on a cookie sheet at 350° for 25-30 minutes. For those who aren't in a rush, placing the frozen meatballs in the refrigerator is always the most effective thawing method.

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Next: How to Thaw Beef

Instructions

1Heat the oven to 325°F and arrange a rack in the middle.
2Place the bread in a large bowl, cover with water, and let soak until saturated, about 1 minute. Pour off the remaining water, wring out the bread, and tear it into tiny pieces. Place in a large bowl.
3Add the remaining ingredients except the breadcrumbs and tomato sauce and mix to combine. Add the breadcrumbs a little at a time until the mixture is moist wet, not sloppy wet. (You may not have to add all of the breadcrumbs.)
4Roll 1/2 cup of the meat mixture between your hands until it’s smooth, compact, and round (about 2 inches in diameter) and place the meatball on a baking sheet; repeat until you have 15 meatballs, spacing them 1 inch apart on the baking sheet. Bake until firm and just cooked through, about 25 to 30 minutes. (At this point, you can cool the meatballs and hold them in the refrigerator for as long as a couple of days or freeze them for the future.)
5Meanwhile, heat the tomato sauce in a large pot over medium heat until simmering. Add the meatballs and increase the heat to medium high until the sauce returns to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the meatballs soak up some of the sauce, at least 30 minutes. Serve 3 meatballs per person with a healthy helping of the sauce. Top each portion with a fluffy mountain of grated cheese.

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