Description
Homemade meatballs and potatoes create a heartwarming classic comfort dish from Eastern European cuisine. Rich flavors blend perfectly with tender meat and golden potatoes, offering a satisfying meal that connects generations through simple, delicious ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef or turkey
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (or gluten-free breadcrumbs)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Potato Ingredients:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) baby potatoes or Yukon gold potatoes, quartered
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Thoroughly blend ground meat with breadcrumbs, creating a uniform mixture that ensures consistent texture and flavor throughout the meatballs.
- Incorporate aromatic seasonings like Parmesan, garlic, onion powder, and Italian herbs into the meat mixture, gently folding to distribute ingredients evenly without overworking the protein.
- Carefully form uniform-sized meatballs, using light pressure to maintain a tender, delicate consistency that prevents dense, compact spheres.
- Prepare potatoes by coating them with a vibrant blend of olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, and herbs, ensuring each piece is generously seasoned.
- Arrange seasoned potatoes and meatballs on a spacious baking sheet, positioning them with sufficient space to promote even heat circulation and crisp exteriors.
- Position the baking sheet in a preheated 400°F oven, allowing the meatballs to develop a golden-brown crust while potatoes transform into crispy, caramelized morsels.
- Midway through cooking, rotate both meatballs and potatoes to guarantee uniform browning and prevent uneven cooking or burning.
- Once fully cooked, remove from oven and let rest briefly, allowing juices to redistribute and enhance overall flavor profile.
- Elevate the dish with optional garnishes like fresh parsley, additional Parmesan, or a creamy sour cream dollop to add visual appeal and complementary textures.
Notes
- Boost flavor by letting meatball mixture rest for 15 minutes before shaping, allowing seasonings to meld and enhance taste profile.
- Prevent meatballs from drying out by using a meat blend with slightly higher fat content like 80/20 ground beef or mixing pork and beef.
- Ensure even cooking by using a meat thermometer to check internal meatball temperature reaches 160°F for food safety without overcooking.
- Customize recipe for gluten-free diets by substituting breadcrumbs with almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers, maintaining meatball texture and binding.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg