---
title: "Polpette (Traditional Italian Meatballs) - CucinaByElena"
url: https://stacklist.com/card/73e2e7e6-434b-4df7-be9a-7777e88d4c5e
source_url: "https://www.cucinabyelena.com/best-traditional-italian-meatballs-in-tomato-sauce-polpette/"
stack: https://stacklist.com/stack/bd958232-d966-452f-9de3-ebb632ecd91a
summary: "Polpette (Traditional Italian Meatballs) is a family recipe from Nonna Laura featuring tender meatballs made with ground beef, bread soaked in milk, and Parmigiano Reggiano, simmered in homemade tomato sauce. The recipe includes variations with turkey or chicken and storage tips for freezing."
tags: "italian-meatballs, polpette, recipe, homemade, tomato-sauce, traditional-cooking"
key_entities: "Elena Davis (person), Nonna Laura (person), Cucina by Elena (organization), Polpette (concept), Sugo al Pomodoro (concept), Parmigiano Reggiano (concept)"
classification: "tutorial"
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token_counts_approximate: 1539
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---

# Polpette (Traditional Italian Meatballs) - CucinaByElena

Cucina by Elena › Recipe Index › Classic Italian Recipes 5 from 72 votes The Best Meatballs Ever! (Italian Polpette Recipe) By Elena Davis Updated May 17, 2025 Jump to Recipe ▼ Leave a Comment Servings: 4 -6 55 mins This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy . The Best Meatballs Ever! (Italian Polpette Recipe) is my nonna’s famous recipe. Made with simple ingredients and stewed in a delicious tomato sauce, these are melt-in-your-mouth tender and flavorful ! Table of Contents The BEST Meatballs Homemade Meatball Ingredients How To Make The Best Meatballs (Italian Polpette) Meatball Variations Tip for Soft and Tender Meatballs Storage and Freezing FAQs How to Serve Meatballs More Italian Recipes Best Meatball Recipe EVER (Polpette) The BEST Meatballs What started as our family meatball recipe is now made my thousands across the globe. Here’s a bit about why this recipe stands out above the rest: Why you’ll love this family favorite! These succulent Italian meatballs are a comforting dish that brings everyone to the table! These nutritious homemade meatballs are the perfect meal to make on a Sunday afternoon and freeze for busy weeknights. Let your children take part in the recipe making by having them roll the meatballs in their tiny hands. This is mouthwatering recipe is from my Nonna Laura. I’ve sat at many kitchen tables and rolled these meatballs with her countless times. The smell of onion frying in olive oil, fresh tomatoes, basil, beef, and parsley brings me back to all those tables and conversations. You will love this recipe for generations to come! Serve with homemade potato gnocchi . Made With AmorE, “I made these delicious beauties last night for dinner and I am in love with this recipe. I’ve been making meatballs for a lifetime and never ever have they turned out this good. Your recipe is amazing!! To all readers and cooks try this simple recipe and I promise you’ll never look back. Thank you for an awesome recipe!!” – JEN Read More Reviews Homemade Meatball Ingredients These authentic Italian meatballs only need a few pantry staples and fresh ingredients. Meatball Ingredients Ground beef Stale bread Milk Parmigiano Reggiano Egg Parsley Bread crumbs Salt and black pepper to taste 1 recipe for Sugo al Pomodoro (homemade tomato sauce) How To Make The Best Meatballs (Italian Polpette) Making homemade meatballs is satisfying and rewarding. The recipe card below provides a complete list of measurements and instructions. Soak the bread in the milk in a small bowl, and set aside. In a medium bowl, combine the bread with the remaining ingredients and gently mix. Create a uniform mixture with the meat and filling ingredients. Gently form into small balls. I like to use a spoon or fork to scoop and then roll the meat mixture in the palm of my hand—just like Nonna Laura taught me! Make your tomato sauce and let the meatballs gently simmer in the sauce until perfectly tender. From my cucina to your table- enjoy our traditional meatball (polpette) recipe for years to come! It will be the most popular dish from Italian cuisine in your household! Meatball Variations Switching up the traditional recipe with a few creative variations that still embrace the essence of rustic, high-quality Italian cuisine: Turkey or Chicken Meatballs- Swap the classic beef or pork with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version. Add fresh herbs like parsley and basil to boost the flavor. These are fantastic when paired with a light tomato or even a creamy pesto sauce. You can also add ricotta and make these ricotta meatballs ! Tip for Soft and Tender Meatballs Soak the bread for soft meatballs. Bread soaked in milk will puff up when cooked, creating little air pockets that soften the mixture. They are melt-in-your-mouth tender! Storage and Freezing Refrigerating: Let the the dish cool to room temperature. Store: Place in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. Freezing: Allow the dish cool completely. Portion: Divide into meal-sized portions if desired. Package: Use freezer-safe containers or bags, removing as much air as possible. Label: Mark with the date; freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw & Reheat: Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat gently on the stove. FAQs What is the beat meat to use? This recipe (and also the way my nonna made them) is with one pound of 80-85% lean ground beef. Add half-ground beef, half-ground pork, or even Italian sausage with the casing removed if you like. Try this recipe that uses Italian sausage-  Italian Sausage Meatballs Recipe (In Sauce) . Can you cook raw meatballs in tomato sauce? YES! This recipe does exactly that. It saves you time in baking them first and dirtying more pans. The raw meatballs will cook in tomato sauce and come out tender and scrumptious. The juices will flavor the tomato sauce, and the tomato sauce will flavor the meatballs. This is the traditional way we do it in Italy!   Can You Make This Recipe Gluten Free? You can make a gluten-free version by adding a slice of gluten-free bread of your choice. Instead of the breadcrumbs, you can use a gluten-free variety!  Can these meatballs be fried or baked? Yes, you can cook the meatballs any way you like. I highly suggest cooking them in the sauce because the flavor is outstanding! Can I omit milk in this recipe? Yes, you can skip the milk. But, you still need some sort of liquid to help bind the meatballs together. Water or broth are easy substitutes. My favorite part about all my Nonna’s recipes is the simplicity and authenticity of the fresh ingredients. It’s about highlighting the natural flavors of the food, and this recipe exemplifies just that.  Read more about my nonna and her meatballs . How to Serve Meatballs You can toss the meatballs with spaghetti or any pasta you choose or enjoy with delicious crusty bread , Italian flat green beans , and creamy polenta ! Add an arugula pistachio salad or desserts like Italian homemade cannoli and Italian pear cake for a complete meal. Creamy Nduja Pasta Sauce