Classic Italian Polpette (Meatballs)
Delicious and authentic Italian meatballs, simmered in a rich tomato sauce. Perfect as a main course or served over pasta.
By CuocoMitra · Published · Updated 20 June 2026
- Total time
- Prep
- Cook
- Serves
- 4
- Per serving
- 417kcal
- Difficulty
- easy
Classic Italian Polpette (Meatballs) is a easy Italian recipe that serves 4 and takes 60 minutes (20 minutes prep, 40 minutes cooking). It uses 10 ingredients across 5 steps. Each serving provides about 417.45 calories.
Ingredients
10 ingredients for 4 servings. Open any ingredient for its nutrition detail.
Raw Ground Deer Meat80/20 beef, or a 50/50 mix of beef and pork500 gGame meat, deer, ground, raw
Lamb, Veal, and Game Productssr_legacyIn this recipe: 500 g, 80/20 beef, or a 50/50 mix of beef and pork
Per 100 g
Calories157 kcalProtein21.8gCarbs0gFat7.13gFiber0gCommon portions
oz 1 undetermined 28.35 g patty (cooked from 4 oz raw) 1 undetermined 85 g Main proteinUmami builderGameyEarthyUmamiChewy
Fine Breadcrumbsplain, from stale bread if possible100 gTriticum aestivum-based dried bread product
Baked ProductsBreadcrumbsIn this recipe: 100 g, plain, from stale bread if possible
Per 100 g
Calories374 kcalProtein12gCarbs72gFat3.5gFiber4.5gCommon portions
1 tbsp 1 tbsp 7 g 1 cup 1 cup 110 g 100 g 100 g 100 g BinderCoatingCrust builderMildToastyBready
Eggslarge, lightly beaten1 largeEggs
EggsIn this recipe: 1 large, large, lightly beaten
Per 100 g
Calories130.98 kcalProtein9.87gCarbs9.93gFat5.34gFiber—Common portions
yolk 1 egg 17 g BinderMain proteinEmulsifierSavoryUmamiSulfurous
Fresh Parsleyflat-leaf, finely chopped30 gParsley, fresh
Vegetables and Vegetable Productssr_legacyIn this recipe: 30 g, flat-leaf, finely chopped
Per 100 g
Calories36 kcalProtein2.97gCarbs6.33gFat0.79gFiber3.3gCommon portions
tbsp 1 undetermined 3.8 g sprigs 10 undetermined 10 g cup chopped 1 undetermined 60 g GarnishAromaticFlavor enhancerFreshEarthyPeppery
Canned Tomato Saucegood quality passata or crushed tomatoes700 mlTomato products, canned, sauce
Vegetables and Vegetable Productssr_legacyIn this recipe: 700 ml, good quality passata or crushed tomatoes
Per 100 g
Calories24 kcalProtein1.2gCarbs5.31gFat0.3gFiber1.5gCommon portions
cup 1 undetermined 245 g Base sauceAcidUmami builderSweetSourUmami
Raw Garlicfinely minced2 clovesGarlic, raw
Vegetables and Vegetable Productssr_legacyIn this recipe: 2 cloves, finely minced
Per 100 g
Calories149 kcalProtein6.36gCarbs33.1gFat0.5gFiber2.1gCommon portions
tsp 1 undetermined 2.8 g clove 1 undetermined 3 g cloves 3 undetermined 9 g cup 1 undetermined 136 g AromaticFlavor enhancerSpicePungentSpicyEarthy
Olive Oilextra virgin, for frying2 tbspOil, olive, salad or cooking
Fats and Oilssr_legacyIn this recipe: 2 tbsp, extra virgin, for frying
Per 100 g
Calories884 kcalProtein0gCarbs0gFat100gFiber0gCommon portions
tsp 1 undetermined 4.5 g tablespoon 1 undetermined 13.5 g cup 1 undetermined 216 g Fat sourceCooking mediumFlavor enhancerFruityMildSilky
Shredded Parmesan Cheesefreshly grated50 gCheese, parmesan, shredded
Dairy and Egg Productssr_legacyIn this recipe: 50 g, freshly grated
Per 100 g
Calories415 kcalProtein37.9gCarbs3.41gFat27.3gFiber0gCommon portions
tbsp 1 undetermined 5 g Flavor enhancerUmami builderGarnishUmamiNuttySalty
Plain Saltfine sea salt5 gPLAIN SALT
Seasoning Mixes, Salts, Marinades & Tenderizerssr_legacyIn this recipe: 5 g, fine sea salt
Per 100 g
Calories0 kcalProtein0gCarbs0gFat0gFiber—Common portions
1 g 1.5 g Flavor enhancerSeasoningSaltyGrittyCrystalline
Black Pepperfreshly ground2 gSpices, pepper, black
Herbs & Spicessr_legacyIn this recipe: 2 g, freshly ground
Per 100 g
Calories251 kcalProtein10.4gCarbs64gFat3.26gFiber25.3gCommon portions
dash 1 undetermined 0.1 g tsp, ground 1 undetermined 2.3 g tsp, whole 1 undetermined 2.9 g tbsp, ground 1 undetermined 6.9 g SeasoningFlavor enhancerAromaticSpicyPungentEarthy
What you’ll need
3 tools across 5 steps.
Method
- 1
Prepare the Meatball Mixture
In a large bowl, combine the 500 g ground meat, 100 g breadcrumbs, 1 large egg, 30 g chopped parsley, minced 2 cloves garlic, 50 g Parmesan cheese (if using), 5 g salt, and 2 g black pepper. Mix well with your hands until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
Don't overmix the meatball mixture, as this can make them tough.
Timer: 10 min
plate - 2
Form the Meatballs
Roll the meat mixture into small meatballs, about 2-3 cm in diameter. Place them on a plate or baking sheet.
Wet your hands slightly to prevent the meat from sticking.
Timer: 5 min
baking sheet (if roasting) - 3
Brown the Meatballs
Heat the 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Brown the meatballs in batches, turning occasionally, until they are browned on all sides. This should take about 5-7 minutes per batch.
Browning the meatballs adds flavor to the sauce.
Timer: 10 min
pan (optional, for hot water) - 4
Simmer in Tomato Sauce
Pour the 700 ml tomato sauce over the browned meatballs, ensuring they are mostly covered. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it gently simmer for at least 30 minutes, or up to an hour, stirring occasionally. The sauce will thicken and the flavors will deepen.
For a richer sauce, add a tablespoon of tomato paste along with the tomato sauce.
Simmer: 30 minpan (optional, for hot water) - 5
Serve
Serve the polpette hot, garnished with fresh parsley and extra grated Parmesan cheese (if desired). They are delicious on their own, over pasta, or in a sandwich.
Serve with a side of crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Nutrition
Per serving, across 4 servings.
| Nutrient | Per serving | Whole recipe |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 417.5 kcal | 1669.8 kcal |
| Protein | 38.8 g | 155.2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 30.8 g | 123.1 g |
| Fat | 15.5 g | 62.1 g |
| Fibre | 4.3 g | 17.2 g |
| Sodium | 1802.6 mg | 7210.3 mg |
Computed from the matched ingredient data rather than entered by hand, with 100% of ingredients matched. Treat it as a close estimate, not a clinical figure.
How it tastes
- Salty
- 3 out of 5
- Sweet
- 1 out of 5
- Sour
- 2 out of 5
- Umami
- 4 out of 5
- Herbal
- 3 out of 5
- Rich
- 3 out of 5
Texture
Mood
Good for
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