Tuscan-Style Italian Meatballs

There’s nothing quite like a good plate of homemade meatballs. This recipe is a tried-and-true family favourite - simple, hearty, and packed with flavour. No fancy tricks, just good ingredients and the right seasoning.

The secret to this recipe is a mix of beef and pork, plus Smokey Joe’s Tuscan Seasoning to bring in those bold, herby flavours. A splash of milk keeps the meatballs tender, while a good sear in hot olive oil locks in all that juiciness.

The sauce is a straightforward classic—crushed tomatoes, garlic, onions, and a few key spices simmered together until rich and hearty. As the meatballs cook in the sauce, they absorb all that flavour, making every bite even better.

Serve them over pasta, with a piece of crusty bread, or just on their own (we won’t judge). This is the kind of meal that fills your home with mouthwatering aromas and gets everyone gathered around the table.

What you need

For the Meatballs:

• 500g beef mince

• 250g pork mince

• 1 cup breadcrumbs

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 2 large eggs

• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon Smokey Joe's Tuscan Seasoning

• Salt and black pepper to taste

• 1/4 cup milk

• Olive oil, for frying

For the Sauce:

• 2 cans crushed tomatoes

• 1/4 cup tomato paste

• 1 onion, finely chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon Smokey Joe's Tuscan seasoning

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• Salt and black pepper to taste

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

What to do

For the Meatballs:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, eggs, parsley, minced garlic, Smokey Joe's Tuscan seasoning, salt, and black pepper.

2. Pour in the milk and mix all the ingredients together until well combined. If the mixture seems too dry, you can add a little more milk.

3. Shape the mixture into meatballs, about 2-3cm in diameter.

4. Heat olive oil in a large frypan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the meatballs in batches and brown them on all sides. Be careful not to overcrowd the skillet.

5. Once browned, transfer the meatballs to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.

For the Sauce:

1. In the same frypan, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until softened.

2. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Smokey Joe's Tuscan seasoning, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer.

3. Carefully place the browned meatballs into the simmering sauce. Cover the skillet and let it simmer for about 20-25 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through.

4. Adjust the seasoning if needed and serve the meatballs with your favorite pasta or crusty bread.

Enjoy your Tuscan-inspired Italian meatballs!