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Christmas Eve Meatballs Recipe

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★★★★

4 from 54 reviews

These Christmas Eve Meatballs are a festive and hearty Italian-American dish featuring a blend of ground pork and beef mixed with flavorful spices, ricotta cheese, and crispy bacon. Baked slowly in a rich crushed tomato sauce, they develop a tender texture and deep flavor perfect for holiday gatherings. Topped with Parmesan and fresh parsley, these meatballs bring warmth and tradition to your holiday table.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatball Mixture

  • 1 1/2 lbs. ground pork
  • 1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
  • 2 oz. raw bacon, chopped
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1/4 cup parsley
  • 1 tsp. ground fennel
  • 2 tsp. dried oregano
  • 2 tsp. salt
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes

Tomato Sauce & Garnish

  • 1 – 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
  • Parmesan cheese, for garnish
  • Fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Lightly spray a 12×9 inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking during baking.
  2. Process bacon, breadcrumbs, and parsley: In the bowl of a food processor, pulse together the chopped raw bacon, breadcrumbs, and parsley until finely combined. This adds texture and flavor to the meatballs.
  3. Mix meatball ingredients: If your food processor is large enough, add the ground pork, ground beef, eggs, ricotta cheese, ground fennel, dried oregano, salt, and red pepper flakes to the mixture. If not, combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly until well blended.
  4. Form meatballs: Shape the meat mixture into large meatballs, making sure they are uniform in size to promote even cooking. Place them evenly spaced in the prepared baking pan.
  5. Bake initial meatballs: Bake the meatballs at 425°F for 30 minutes. This step starts the cooking process and helps the meatballs hold their shape.
  6. Add tomato sauce: Remove the pan from the oven and pour the entire can of crushed tomatoes over the meatballs, covering them well to infuse flavor and moisture.
  7. Slow bake to finish cooking: Reduce the oven temperature to 325°F. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until the meatballs are fully cooked through and the tomato sauce has thickened and reduced.
  8. Garnish and serve: Once cooked, sprinkle the meatballs with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and additional chopped parsley for a burst of fresh flavor. Serve warm as a festive holiday main dish.

Notes

  • For best flavor, use fresh parsley rather than dried.
  • You can prepare the meatball mixture a few hours ahead and refrigerate before baking.
  • If you prefer smaller meatballs, reduce baking times accordingly.
  • Make sure the internal temperature of the meatballs reaches at least 160°F for safe consumption.
  • These meatballs pair well with crusty bread or over pasta.

Keywords: Christmas meatballs, holiday meatballs, baked meatballs, Italian meatballs, pork and beef meatballs, festive meatball recipe

Find it online: https://foodiecara.com/christmas-eve-meatballs-recipe/