Easy and Delicious Recipes

Author: Sarah Berthold

Homemade Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake Recipe

Homemade Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake Recipe

The Finest Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake recipe is here! It is the ideal Italian dessert since it is flavorful, fluffy, and lightweight. Ricotta cheese and lemon are used in this simple recipe. You’ll like this recipe because it’s a rich, moist, and easy-to-make cake that Read More

Fresh Mango Cake Recipe

Fresh Mango Cake Recipe

This mango cake has a sponge cake base, a fresh and juicy mango, and a light vanilla whipped cream frosting. You won’t find a cake as moist and wonderful as this Mango Cake. Mango Sponge Cake  Usually, when I’m in a hurry, my cake recipes Read More

Juicy Italian Meatballs Recipe with Tomato Sauce

Juicy Italian Meatballs Recipe with Tomato Sauce

Delicate and juicy Italian meatballs cooked with garlic, parsley, fresh bread crumbs, eggs, pork, veal, and beef can be enjoyed on their own or tossed with spaghetti and tomato sauce. Tomato sauce is included in this recipe, so no worries.  You will thank yourself in the future if you make extra and save it in the freezer.

Tender, juicy, authentic Italian meatballs are prepared in 30 minutes for the entire family.

These delicious veal, beef, and pork meatballs are a true representation of an Italian-American meatball dish. I genuinely believe that this recipe, based on my grandmother’s, produces the most fabulous handmade Italian meatballs ever.

My kids will never forget their great-grandma’s meatballs.  I created this recipe based on my recollection of her meatballs and a ton (too much!) of practice. When my children eventually said, “They’re almost as good as great-grandma’s,” not too long ago, I knew I had attained meatball perfection.

After years of experimenting with different proportions, I can confidently say that this Italian meatball recipe that anybody can prepare is the best. Light and moist thanks to a mixture of three different types of meat (two are great), fresh bread crumbs, eggs, milk, flavored parsley with garlic, and parmesan cheese.

They are partially cooked in the oven until firm and then finished in the sauce.

Juicy Italian Meatballs Recipe with Tomato Sauce

 

Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs

  • 2/3 cup milk

  • 10 oz ground beef

  • 10 oz ground pork

  • 10 oz ground veal

  • 3 garlic cloves, finely minced or grated

  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten

  • 1 large egg yolk, lightly beaten

  • 1 tbsp kosher salt

  • 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

  • 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (or Pecorino Romano / Grana Padano)

  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped

  • Olive oil (for your hands and the pan)

No veal? Use 16 oz ground beef + 16 oz ground pork instead.

Tomato Sauce

  • 1 (28 oz) can whole peeled tomatoes (or crushed tomatoes)

  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

  • 1 small onion, finely chopped

  • 3 garlic cloves, lightly crushed or minced

  • 1 tsp kosher salt

  • Optional: 1–2 basil sprigs


Instructions

1) Make the tomato sauce

  1. Prep the tomatoes: Pour the tomatoes (with juices) into a bowl and crush them with your hands until you get a chunky, rustic texture.

  2. Start the base: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for about 2–3 minutes, until it begins to soften.

  3. Add garlic + salt: Stir in the garlic and 1 tsp salt. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring often so the garlic doesn’t brown.

  4. Simmer: Add the crushed tomatoes plus 1/4 cup water. Bring to a lively simmer (medium-high), then reduce to keep it gently bubbling. Cook 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.

  5. Finish: Add basil sprigs if using. Taste and adjust salt if needed. Keep the sauce warm while you bake the meatballs.


2) Make the meatballs

  1. Heat the oven: Set oven to 425°F (220°C). Place a rack in the upper third. Lightly oil a rimmed baking sheet or line with parchment.

  2. Soak the breadcrumbs: In a large bowl, combine breadcrumbs and milk. Mash and stir with a fork until everything is evenly damp. Let sit 10 minutes.

  3. Mix the flavor base: Add the egg, egg yolk, garlic, parsley, cheese, salt, and pepper to the soaked breadcrumbs. Mix well with a fork.

  4. Add the meat gently: Add the beef, pork, and veal in a couple of additions, mixing just until combined. Use your hands or a spoon—either is fine. Stop as soon as it comes together (overmixing = tough meatballs).

  5. Shape: Lightly oil your hands and roll into about 2-inch meatballs (golf-ball size). Arrange on the baking sheet with a little space between them.

  6. Bake: Bake for 18–22 minutes, until browned and cooked through (internal temp 165°F / 74°C). Carefully pour off any excess fat from the tray.


3) Finish them in the sauce (best part)

  1. Transfer baked meatballs straight into the warm sauce.

  2. Simmer together 10–12 minutes over low to medium-low heat, so the meatballs soak up the sauce and the sauce picks up flavor from the meat.

  3. Serve hot with pasta, crusty bread, polenta, or on their own with extra cheese.

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 16-18 meatballs

Calories: 190

Share the image below to your Pinterest board if you like this meatballs recipe!

Juicy Italian Meatballs Recipe with Tomato Sauce

 

How to serve Italian Meatballs

Spaghetti and meatballs on a nice summer night, especially outside with glasses of red wine running, are difficult to beat, in my opinion, even though Italians do generally not eat their meatballs with any pasta. The Italian meatballs are great over a bed of polenta, mashed cauliflower or potatoes, a bed of rice, or even a bowl of quinoa if you’re trying to avoid pasta.

You could also eat the meatballs without any pasta at all and pile them on some braised greens or a salad. Alternatively, you could serve them with a hearty helping of tomato sauce, some crusty bread for dipping, and nothing else. Delicious!

Tucking these Italian meatballs into two pieces of ciabatta bread, then topping them with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese, is another great option.

How to store Meatballs 

If you need to freeze a large number of meatballs, separate them into smaller portions before freezing.

To store:  Meatballs (and tomato sauce) may be kept fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days if stored in an airtight container.

To reheat: Place meatballs without sauce in an oven warmed to 350 degrees for 5-10 minutes. Reheat in the sauce for 15 minutes over medium-high heat on the stove.

To freeze:  For freezing, ensure total cooling. A single layer of meatballs should be spread out on a baking pan. Put in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag and freeze for 30 minutes. Freeze for as long as three months. Get it out of the freezer and into the fridge the night before you want to reheat it.

 

Tips for The Best Italian Meatballs

The majority of these suggestions are covered in the post, but they need a second mention in case you just read certain sections.

Make the meatballs with care.

Don’t pack the meatballs too firmly when forming them; otherwise, they will be thick and stiff. Don’t worry if they aren’t precisely spherical; just quickly form the meatballs. It’s best if you don’t handle them too much. Apply oil on your hands and shape the meatballs gently. 

Keep the meat refrigerated before making the meatballs

The fat will melt and degrade if the meatball mixture gets too warm. The meatballs won’t be as juicy and will be difficult to form as a result. Before forming the meatballs, if required, refrigerate the mixture for about 15 minutes.

Don’t overcook them

Depending on your oven, large meatballs will cook in around twenty minutes at 425°F (200°C). Use an instant-read thermometer for the best results; meatballs are done when they reach a temperature of 165°F.

I suggest gently cooking the meatballs for no more than 15-20 minutes if you intend to continue cooking them in a sauce to prevent drying them out.

Double, triple, or quadruple the batch sizes.

A great recipe to prepare ahead is meatballs. Making extra for future dinners is a great idea because they freeze wonderfully on their own or in a sauce.

Zuppa Toscana Olive Garden Copycat Recipe

Zuppa Toscana Olive Garden Copycat Recipe

A copycat of Olive Garden’s famous Zuppa Toscana soup that matches the restaurant’s classic in every way. A creamy and flavorful broth was infused with kale, bacon, Italian sausage, and tender pieces of russet potatoes. What is Zuppa Toscana? Toscana means Tuscan, and Zuppa means Read More

How to Make Gigi Hadid Pasta (Spicy Vodka Pasta)

How to Make Gigi Hadid Pasta (Spicy Vodka Pasta)

This Gigi Hadid pasta recipe became viral in 2020 and completely took over TikTok and Instagram! Is it worthy of the hype? Totally! This restaurant-quality, spicy, and creamy vodka sauce is so simple to create. I’ll give you Gigi’s identical Instagram recipe and demonstrate how Read More

The Best Airfood Recipe Ideas

The Best Airfood Recipe Ideas

When you think of airfood recipe, it is basically a Low-calorie recipe that fills up your tummy and reduces your cravings. A few examples include Air-poped popcorn, rice cakes, celery sticks with peanut butter, sushi, and so on!

Airfood is a new way of eating, but it’s not only about the food; it’s also about how it makes you feel afterward.  Snacks are a typical issue that many struggle with when it comes to keeping to their diet, macros, or calorie consumption targets. 

Is Low-Calorie Airfood Good For You?

The industry for low-calorie snacks is flourishing, and it benefits from our desire to limit our calorie consumption in an effort to stay slim and “healthy”. However, can low-calorie snacks like air meals genuinely achieve this goal, or do they only temporarily quell our hunger and encourage us to eat more later on?

What happens when the time between meals or waking up at 4:00 a.m. feeling extremely hungry? Indulging in airfood or ignoring our hunger can cause it to return shortly, leaving us feeling angry or guilty for needing food again so soon. 

I kept this in mind when making airfood recipe ideas, so the food you eat can actually satisfy your cravings for a longer period and feel full on fewer calories. 

Airfood Recipe Ideas & How to Make it

Less than 100 calories are contained in the airfood recipe, which can be good for your health, according to British Hearth Foundation. With these air meal suggestions, you won’t have any trouble tossing up a low-calorie lunch or supper.

These recipes, which range from meat dishes to vegetarian fare to desserts, have been assembled for you. Hence, the table won’t get monotonous! The greatest part is that many dishes can be easily made the day before, saving you from having to spend all day in the kitchen.

Baked Sweet Potato

Airfood Recipe Ideas

A small sweet potato should have its skin poked before going into the oven or microwave. When it’s finished, you’ll have a delicious and healthy snack!

If you’re in the mood for something salty, go ahead and season it with salt and pepper or another flavoring of your choosing. Try adding cinnamon if you want a sweeter dessert and enjoy.

However, cooking root vegetables might take a while, especially in the oven. In order to get around this, we used our Instant Pot to cook them! Make use of this useful kitchen tool in advance to prepare snacks for the entire week.

There are 100 calories in a small sweet potato that is baked or microwaved.

Slow-Churned Ice Cream

Airfood Recipe Ideas

Our #2 pick for airfood low-calorie snacks is ice cream. Did you expect that? I bet not.  The secret is to seek for kinds that have been double- or slowly churned. This is a method that lessens calories and fat while maintaining the creamy texture of full-fat variants.

Slow-Churned ice creams are available in stores. This ice cream has its own downsides because it contains more calories per serving, so you get to eat less. 

Only 100 calories are in 1/2 cup of slow-churned ice cream.

Sushi

Airfood Recipe Ideas

Sushi is typically viewed as a meal rather than a snack. Avoid letting that way of thinking constrain you! If you’re anything like me, you might occasionally prefer to only eat a small amount of sushi during the day or even as an appetizer at a party.

Sushi typically has around 45 calories in each piece, which is a decent general guideline. This implies that if you want to keep under the 100-calorie threshold, you may only eat two pieces.

I suggest trying these recipes: Masago Sushi, Tobiko Sushi, or Unagi Sushi Rolls

Two sushi rolls equals 90 calories

Beef Jerky

Airfood Recipe Ideas

A tasty low-calorie snack that one can create. A bag of beef jerky normally weighs slightly more than 3 ounces. So, if you can resist eating the entire bag, you can maintain your 100 calorie limit. Therefore, we advise biting into a substantial piece of jerky.

Other options, such as pig, turkey, and chicken, are about equivalent in terms of ounces. Simply remember to keep an eye on the nutritional label since each might have a different number of calories.

I’ve got two beef jerky recipes for you, this South African Biltong beef jerky, and classical oven-baked beef jerky

There are 80 calories in 1 substantial chunk of beef jerky.

Air-Popped Popcorn

Airfood Recipe Ideas

Popcorn may be the best choice of food when looking for a satisfying evening snack. Be cautious though, since many versions include sugar and butter coatings and won’t be under 100 calories.

For a snack that truly fills a bowl, choose air-popped homemade or store-bought popcorn.

90 calories from 3 cups of air-popped popcorn

Celery Sticks with Peanut Butter

Airfood Recipe Ideas

Your grandma probably prepared you this snack when you were younger, but she probably named it “ants on a log” and added a line of raisins or chocolate chips on top. Ant on a log is a great snack, but it quickly exceeds our limit of 100 calories.

But if you leave away the sugar-filled raisins or chocolate chips, you have the ideal low-calorie snack. The celery makes the ideal “boat” for dipping into peanut butter for a longer-lasting snack.

There are 100 calories in 1 large celery stalk and 1 tsp of peanut butter.

Broccoli with Ranch Dip

Airfood Recipe Ideas

The genuine Hero of a snack is when you can have an entire cup of anything plus dip without surpassing 100 calories.

Actually, ranch dressing is the main source of calories in this snack. You can thus eat more if you can locate a dip or sauce with less calories.

Due to its protein and fiber content, raw broccoli is a fantastic addition to your diet. Additionally, you may consume a lot of it for relatively little calories.

1 teaspoon of ranch dressing and 1 cup of raw broccoli florets equal 100 calories.

Hard Boiled Egg

Airfood Recipe Ideas

Eggs that can be quickly prepared in batches of a dozen are particularly useful to have on hand. Hard-boiled eggs are actually a fantastic airfood snack!

Peel, add some salt and pepper and pack for a quick portable snack that will provide you with plenty of protein.

There are 78 calories in 1 large hard-boiled egg.

Rice Cakes

Airfood Recipe Ideas

A rice cake is a round, puffy rice-based cake and is mostly used in airfood recipes. It is frequently used in place of bread. Additionally, it has the advantage of having fewer calories than bread.

Given that two rice cakes have a calorie count of 70, there are 30 calories left over for a tasty topping. A thin spread of peanut butter, some cream cheese, or a low-sugar preserve are a few choices. Rice cakes are a fantastic snack that feels substantial without packing on the calories; however you want to eat them.

There are 70 calories in 2 rice cakes.

Shrimp Cocktail

Airfood Recipe Ideas

An appetizer at a restaurant or a snack at home, jumbo shrimp cocktail is unquestionably the diet food of your dreams. A full yet diet-friendly snack is lean protein paired with a fiery, acidic seafood sauce.

But carrying it around might not be the best idea. Shrimp and handbags don’t seem like a good combination, in my opinion. But be sure to take a shrimp cocktail into consideration if you’re searching for a tasty evening snack or something you can easily order from a restaurant.

There are 100 calories from 5 jumbo shrimp and cocktail sauce.

Egg White Omelet

Airfood Recipe Ideas

You might be accustomed to eating omelets on a regular basis, but you are losing out on a delight that has fewer calories. In fact, you’re in for a really low-calorie treat if you’re willing to try egg white only omelets.

To produce the ideal egg white omelet, all you need are the whites from four eggs. Careful what you add to the ingredients or as a topping because the egg white adds very few to no calories to the meal.

The best course of action is to prepare and/or top your egg white omelet with low- to no-calorie items like tomatoes, spinach, and onions.

Veggies and 4 egg white omelet contain 90 calories.

Tuna Salad

Airfood Recipe Ideas

Tuna salad is a wonderful airfood snack to grab when you’re hungry. In fact, the ingredients are probably already in your refrigerator and pantry.

Once all the ingredients are prepared, making tuna salad by combining drained canned tuna, light mayonnaise, and spices should be quick and easy. The calorie count of a modest dish of tuna salad is minimal.

In addition, if you want to try something new than a typical tuna salad, we suggest sprinkling over dill pickles along with this blackened tuna steak.

There are 100 calories in 1/4 cup of light mayonnaise-topped tuna salad.

Veggie Soup

Airfood Recipe Ideas

Although there are numerous types of vegetable soup and we always advise reading labels, a cup of vegetable soup typically has around 100 calories (and yes, it can absolutely be a snack!). Additionally, the combination of vegetables and broth will unquestionably fill you up.

80 calories from one can of vegetable soup with additional water.

English Muffin

Airfood Recipe Ideas

Sometimes it’s all about the portions. Even while a whole English muffin can be alluring, you can have a satisfying snack-sized amount by merely taking half of one (thank goodness they are usually pre-sliced) and toasting it with a dab of butter.

100 calories in 1/2 English Muffin and teaspoon of butter.

Shre the image below to your Pinterest board if you like these airfood recipe ideas!

The Best Airfood Recipe Ideas

Deep-Fried Cheesecake Recipe in No Time

Deep-Fried Cheesecake Recipe in No Time

A fantastic way to brighten up a frozen cheesecake is with these deep-fried cheesecake bites. They make the perfect party finger food dessert since they are both crispy on the exterior and creamy on the inside. These delicious deep-fried cheesecake bites have a crunchy exterior Read More

Homemade Battered Sausage Easy Recipe

Homemade Battered Sausage Easy Recipe

Irish and British cuisines frequently feature battered sausage. This meal is popular and even matches fish and chips in popularity. This recipe for battered sausage is delicious, crunchy, and wonderfully filling. The sausages are perfectly coated with the light, crunchy batter, which tastes precisely like Read More

Homemade Croffle Recipe (Croissant Waffles)

Homemade Croffle Recipe (Croissant Waffles)

The hottest street food in Korea is croissant waffles, A.K.A croffle, the subject of my most recent fascination. For those unable to travel to Korea,  I thought I would make a replica of this delectable treat at home.

What are Croffles?

Croffles are a mix of waffles and croissants. Essentially, they are croissants pressed inside a waffle maker to make them look like a waffle. Think of a waffle with several layers of flaky dough and a nice, crispy outside. It’s a mix of songs nobody asked for, but it works great!

Croffles are one of the most popular new breakfast foods. They are flaky, buttery, and just sweet enough. Croffles are a cross between croissants and waffles. The inside is soft and chewy, and the outside is crunchy.

Homemade Croffle Recipe (Croissant Waffles)

What you’ll need to make the best Croffle 

Croissant dough: As long as you begin with premade croissant dough, making croissants is easy. You’ll need croissants that haven’t been cooked to make these croffles (you can buy frozen and thaw them yourself). If you could consider the frying spray used to oil your waffle machine as an ingredient, it would be the only other thing you would need.

However, you may try rubbing melted butter over the grates for something even richer. Consider Pillsbury, or if you want something better, croissant dough that hasn’t been baked from a nearby bakery. Here, even puff pastry would be effective! If you’re feeling very ambitious, go ahead and create your own!

Your preferred fillings and toppings:  Butter, honey, or even Nutella can be used as a filling. To make the exterior of the croffle golden brown, once it is cooked, the croissant dough can be rolled in sugar. Either brown sugar or white granulated sugar may be used. See my complete list of recommended toppings and fillings below.

A waffle maker: Obviously, this is a necessity.

Homemade Croffle Recipe (Croissant Waffles)

How to Make Croffles

Get the waffle maker ready.

The waffle maker should be preheated before use and greased with cooking spray or butter.

Fill the dough

To prevent sticking, carefully dust your surface as you roll out the puff pastry or crescent dough. Don’t overfill them; instead, load them with your preferred fillings.

Starting with the broad end of the triangle dough, carefully roll each triangle. (If you prefer not to fill your croffles, just put the croissant dough to your waffle iron once it has thawed, and press.)

Bake the Croffle

Close the cover of the waffle iron after placing the dough in its center. Check the croffle to see if it is fully cooked after baking the dough for around 2 minutes. If necessary, cook it longer. Even though croissants are delicious, it is unpleasant to bite into unbaked croissant dough.

Croffle Toppings

You can top them with “whipped cream and fruit, yogurt and berries, or honey and nut butter if you prefer a sweet croffle. Additionally, you might use ice cream, melted chocolate, powdered sugar, preserves, or powder. For a lavish breakfast, the croffle might also be served with ham, cheese, and an egg. 

Homemade Croffle Recipe (Croissant Waffles)

Fillings and Toppings for Croffle

For a sweet variation

Pour some maple syrup, date syrup, or honey (not older than one year) on top if you’d like. For older children and adults, garnish with whipped cream and powdered sugar to replicate the look of upscale bakeries. My favorite combination is mine with ice cream!

  • Fruit and Ricotta ( use strawberries, blueberries, apples, or other fresh fruit you like)
  • Yogurt
  • Whipped cream with sugar powder
  • Fresh berries and cream cheese
  • Apple curd
  • Nut Butter with Banana, apple, strawberries, sweet potatoes, or shredded carrots
  • Sweet potatoes mashed with cinnamon.
  • Jam and powdered or coarsely chopped seeds or nuts (hemp seeds, flax seeds, chia seeds, etc.)

For Savory Croffle

  • Ham and eggs and cheese
  • Beans and cheese
  • Eggs and cheese
  • Shredded chicken with cheese
  • Hummus with carrots
  • Hummus with cucumber

Storing Croffles

Croffles can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days if placed in an airtight container.

I suggest flash freezing for freezing. Once completely frozen, transfer to a bag or container that may be stored in the freezer for up to two months. In the refrigerator, thaw overnight.

Reheating Croffle

Reheat in the toaster or toaster oven until crisp and heated all the way through. These work fantastically in lunch boxes!

Homemade Croffle Recipe (Croissant Waffle)

This croffle, or croissant waffle, is delicious and simple to prepare. They may be adapted countless ways to serve as a wholesome breakfast or snack.

Ingredients

  • 1 croissant dough pack
  • 4 Tbsp of fillings of your choice

Instructions

  • Heat the waffle maker. Depending on your waffle iron, you might need to use oil to grease the waffle plates.
  • To prevent sticking, carefully dust your surface as you roll out the puff pastry or crescent dough. You may fill with any fillings you choose.
  • Work with the wider end of the triangle dough and carefully roll each triangle.
  • Add croissants to the waffle maker one at a time, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until golden brown.

Share the image below to your Pinterest board if you like this croffles recipe! 

Homemade Croffle Recipe (Croissant Waffles)

Homemade Lobster Ravioli Sauce Easy Recipe

Homemade Lobster Ravioli Sauce Easy Recipe

This elegant recipe for the BEST Lobster Ravioli sauce has only basic ingredients, which you probably have at your hand, and can be made in just 20 minutes. The lemon brown butter and Pecorino Romano cheese are the star ingredients in combination with a bit Read More