These Giant Lazy Meatballs are a perfect balance of savory beef and pork, mixed with flavorful herbs and spices. Topped with rich tomato sauce and a blend of melted Monterey Jack and Parmigiano-Reggiano, they create a delightful comfort dish that’s hearty and satisfying.
Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just looking for a simple yet indulgent meal, these meatballs are quick to assemble and packed with bold, Italian-inspired flavors. Serve them with a side of pasta, bread, or a fresh salad for a complete meal that everyone will enjoy!
Full Recipe:
- 2 slices of bread, crumbled
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Directions:
- In a bowl, crumble the bread and mix with milk, letting it stand for 10-15 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine beef and pork using 2 forks. Add salt, black pepper, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne, olive oil, Parmesan, parsley, eggs, and the breadcrumb mixture. Mix thoroughly using the forks.
- Wrap the mixture and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a roasting pan or baking dish.
- Using damp hands, roll the meat mixture into 4 large meatballs and place them in the prepared pan.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until an internal thermometer reads 160-165°F (71-74°C).
- Remove from the oven, spoon tomato sauce over the meatballs, and sprinkle first with Monterey Jack cheese, then with Parmigiano-Reggiano.
- Return to the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes, until the sauce is hot and the cheese is melted.
- Top with fresh parsley and serve.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 50 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Kcal: 550 kcal per serving | Servings: 4 servings
Giant Lazy Meatballs: A Hearty and Convenient Comfort Food
Meatballs are a beloved dish worldwide, and for good reason. They’re versatile, flavorful, and can be served in a variety of ways. But what if you could make a large, comforting version of these classic bites without spending hours in the kitchen? That’s exactly what this recipe for Giant Lazy Meatballs offers: the same rich flavor and tender texture as traditional meatballs, with significantly less effort. This dish is perfect for home cooks who want to prepare a hearty, delicious meal for their families without investing too much time in the kitchen. With simple ingredients, easy preparation, and a melt-in-your-mouth result, these giant meatballs are a must-try for anyone who enjoys comfort food with a twist.
Why “Lazy” Meatballs?
The name “lazy” comes from the fact that these meatballs skip many of the usual steps that make traditional meatballs more labor-intensive. There’s no need to finely chop vegetables, cook any ingredients beforehand, or simmer for hours. Instead, the recipe relies on a clever combination of ground beef and pork, breadcrumbs soaked in milk, herbs, and spices, all mixed together and formed into large, hearty balls. The simplicity of the preparation doesn’t compromise the flavor—in fact, the result is a juicy, tender meatball with a rich depth of taste, all achieved without the extra fuss.
Key Features of the Giant Lazy Meatballs
- Simplicity: These meatballs cut down on prep time by skipping some of the traditional steps, like pre-cooking vegetables or simmering meat for hours. This makes the recipe ideal for busy weeknights when you want a satisfying meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.
- Flavor: The combination of ground beef and pork gives the meatballs a rich, robust flavor, while simple seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and cayenne add a nice balance of heat and herbs. The breadcrumbs soaked in milk help create a tender, moist texture that enhances the overall flavor experience.
- Minimal Effort: With only a few basic steps—mixing the ingredients, rolling the meatballs, and baking—you can create a delicious, homemade meal. There’s no need for excessive dicing or pre-cooking, which saves time and energy.
- Cheesy Topping: One of the highlights of this recipe is the cheesy topping, featuring a blend of Monterey Jack cheese and Parmigiano-Reggiano. This combination creates a melty, golden finish that pairs perfectly with the rich tomato sauce that’s spooned over the meatballs just before the final bake.
- Versatile Meal: While these giant meatballs are delicious on their own, they also pair well with a variety of side dishes. Serve them over pasta, with garlic bread, or even with mashed potatoes for a truly comforting meal.
Cooking Tips for the Perfect Meatball
Even though this recipe is designed to be as easy as possible, a few key tips can help ensure that your meatballs come out perfectly every time:
- Use a Mix of Meats: The combination of beef and pork creates a rich, flavorful meatball that’s juicy and tender. While you could use all beef or all pork, the mix gives you the best of both worlds—beef for flavor and pork for moisture.
- Chill the Mixture: After combining the ingredients, it’s important to chill the meatball mixture in the fridge for about an hour. This step helps the flavors meld together and makes the meatballs easier to shape. If you skip this step, the meatballs may fall apart during cooking.
- Don’t Overmix: When combining the ingredients, try to mix everything together just until combined. Overmixing can result in tough meatballs, which is the opposite of what you want. Use two forks, as recommended in the recipe, to gently incorporate the ingredients.
- Use Damp Hands to Shape: Rolling the meatballs with damp hands can help prevent the meat from sticking to your hands, making the process quicker and easier. Plus, it helps create smoother, more evenly shaped meatballs.
- Check the Internal Temperature: To ensure the meatballs are fully cooked but not overdone, use an instant-read thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 160-165°F (71-74°C), which ensures they are safe to eat but still juicy.
Serving Suggestions
These giant meatballs are incredibly versatile, and you can serve them in several ways depending on your preferences and the occasion. Here are some ideas:
- With Pasta: One of the most classic pairings for meatballs is pasta. Whether you prefer spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne, the meatballs and sauce will complement your favorite pasta shapes perfectly. Add a sprinkle of extra Parmigiano-Reggiano and some fresh basil for a simple, yet impressive meal.
- Over Polenta: For a more rustic and hearty presentation, serve the meatballs over a bed of creamy polenta. The soft, buttery texture of the polenta pairs beautifully with the rich, savory meatballs and sauce.
- In a Sandwich: These giant meatballs are the perfect size for a meatball sub. Place one or two meatballs in a toasted baguette or hoagie roll, top with some extra sauce and cheese, and you’ve got a delicious, handheld meal.
- With Garlic Bread: For a lighter option, serve the meatballs with a side of garlic bread or a fresh salad. This is a great way to enjoy the rich flavors of the meatballs without feeling too heavy.
- Over Mashed Potatoes: For the ultimate comfort meal, serve the meatballs over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes. The combination of flavors and textures is sure to satisfy any comfort food cravings.
Variations of the Recipe
While this recipe is delicious as-is, there are several ways to tweak it to suit your tastes or dietary preferences. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Make it Spicy: If you like your meatballs with a bit of heat, you can increase the amount of cayenne pepper or add some crushed red pepper flakes to the mixture.
- Add Vegetables: For a more balanced meal, consider adding some finely chopped vegetables like spinach, carrots, or zucchini to the meatball mixture. This will add extra nutrition without compromising the flavor.
- Use Ground Turkey or Chicken: If you prefer a leaner option, you can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef and pork. Keep in mind that poultry tends to be drier, so you may want to add an extra egg or some additional olive oil to maintain moisture.
- Go Gluten-Free: To make this recipe gluten-free, simply use gluten-free breadcrumbs in place of the regular breadcrumbs. The rest of the ingredients should already be gluten-free.
- Make it Dairy-Free: If you’re avoiding dairy, you can skip the cheese or use a dairy-free alternative. The meatballs will still be flavorful and delicious without the cheese, and you can top them with a dairy-free Parmesan substitute if desired.
Conclusion
These Giant Lazy Meatballs are the perfect solution for anyone who wants to enjoy the comforting taste of homemade meatballs without spending hours in the kitchen. With a simple ingredient list and straightforward preparation, this recipe offers a stress-free way to make a hearty, delicious meal that’s sure to impress your family and friends. Whether you serve them over pasta, in a sandwich, or on their own, these meatballs are sure to become a new favorite in your dinner rotation.
The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity. It’s a perfect example of how using quality ingredients and basic techniques can lead to a satisfying, flavorful meal that doesn’t require a lot of effort. The generous size of the meatballs makes them a standout on the plate, while the rich tomato sauce and melted cheese add that final touch of indulgence. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a dish to impress at your next gathering, these Giant Lazy Meatballs are guaranteed to deliver on taste and satisfaction.