Name: Italian Meatballs in a Vodka Sauce
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds ground beef/veal/pork mixture; 1/2 cup italian breadcrumbs; 1/4 cup grated pecorino romano cheese; 3 large eggs; 2 tablespoons minced onion; 1 tablespoon minced garlic; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon dried parsley; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/8 teaspoon black pepper; 1 tablespoon canola oil; 2 cups prepared vodka sauce; 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

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Italian-style meatballs made with a mixture of beef, pork and veal topped with creamy, pink vodka sauce and Mozzarella cheese.

If you're a fan of Italian cuisine, chances are you've heard of the classic meatballs in marinara sauce. But have you ever tried them in a pink vodka sauce? Trust me, it's a game changer!

Tender juicy meatballs smothered in a creamy, tangy sauce with a slight kick of vodka; then topped with Mozzarella cheese and baked until gooey and delicious. This twist on a traditional favorite is a must-try for any food lover.

This recipe yields 24 meatballs and can be ready in 40 minutes. ~ Enjoy!

Suggested Equipment

12-inch Cast Iron Skillet (or stainless steel)
Mixing Bowl

Ingredients Needed

Ground Beef/Pork/Veal Mix: You can substitute all beef or even ground chicken or turkey in this recipe.

Italian Breadcrumbs

Grated Pecorino Romano Cheese

Minced Garlic

Onion: You can also substitute scallions or shallots.

Eggs

Dried Oregano

Dried Parsley

Kosher Salt

Black Pepper

Canola Oil

Prepared Vodka Sauce

Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Make the Sauce

I used homemade vodka sauce that I had in the freezer. However, for a quick version you can use any marinara sauce-jar or homemade.

Heat the 2 cups of sauce in a small saucepan; then add a splash of vodka, ¼ cup heavy cream and crushed red pepper to your liking.

Cook 1-2 minutes until heated through; set aside until ready to top the cooked meatballs.

Prepare the Meatballs

In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef/veal/pork, breadcrumbs, graed cheese, garlic, onion, eggs, oregano, parsley, salt and pepper until it's well blended. Form 24 meatballs that are approximately 2-inches in diameter.

Brown the Meatballs

Add the oil to the skillet; then heat over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and cook on all sides until firm and brown; approximately 10-15 minutes.

If using a smaller pan, you may need to cook the meatballs in batches. When all of the meatballs are cooked, add them all back into the skillet.

Cook the Meatballs

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Top the meatballs with the vodka sauce; then sprinkle the shredded Mozzarella cheese on top and bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese is hot and melted.

Carefully remove the pan from the oven (make sure to use oven mitts the handle will be hot!); then sprinkle with extra parsley and serve.

Serving Suggestions

You can serve these Italian meatballs a variety of ways including:

over your favorite pasta like spaghetti or linguine
serve as an appetizer or game day snack with some hot, sliced Italian bread for dipping
make a sub sandwich
as a meal with your favorite vegetable like Baked Zucchini Wedges or Sautéed Fresh Spinach and Garlic

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