This copycat Olive Garden meatballs recipe has all the flavor and rich juicy texture of the original. These meatballs are perfect with your favorite sauce or pasta.
An order of ten Olive Garden's Italian Meatballs, which easily serves 4-6 people, is just meatballs, Olive Garden style. This usually means covered in marinara sauce and can be used as an appetizer or to add to various meals, as desired.
We always have an order on our table so you can help yourself if you want one or two. If any are left they always disappear into sandwiches or are eaten as is.
I've created the best copycat meatballs recipe of these Olive Garden meatballs. I'm so excited I can make these any time I want without leaving the house.
Recipe for Olive Garden Meatballs
This was inspired by my perfect meatballs recipe on this site. I knew with just a little tweaking, I could make them taste just like Olive Garden's meatballs. They pair perfectly with all kinds of sauces. You can even use them in this alfredo meatballs recipe.
Ingredients
It only takes a few simple ingredients to make these delicious meatballs. You'll find everything you need easily at your local grocery store.
- Ground beef
- Ground pork
- Eggs
- Grated parmesan
- Minced garlic
- Italian bread crumbs
- Fennel seeds
- Black pepper
- Italian seasoning
- Salt
- Red pepper flakes
- Chopped fresh parsley
See the recipe card at the end of the post for exact quantities.
How to Make Olive Garden Meatballs
These meatballs are so easy to make. It only takes a few minutes and a few simple steps!
Step 1: Combine the Ingredients
Combine all the meatball ingredients in a large bowl until thoroughly combined. Then, scoop the meatball mixture into ¼-cup sections and roll each one into a tight ball.
Step 2: Sear
Sear the meatballs in a skillet on medium-high heat for 3 minutes, turning them as they sear to get good color on all sides.
Step 3: Bake
Place the skillet with the meatballs in the oven on the center rack and bake them for 15 minutes at 400 degrees. When the meatballs are finished, drain them and serve them as appetizers or a side dish with your favorite dish.
Step 4: Make Marinara
Saute minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Add the tomato paste and stir.
Deglaze the pan with the red wine and allow the wine to start to reduce. Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce.
Add three or four ladles of sauce to cooked meatballs and toss to coat. Serve
with fresh shredded parmesan and chopped parsley, enjoy!
Hint: Turn your meatballs evenly but not frequently. Let them get a nice color on one side before turning them.
Substitutions
Don't have the correct ingredients on hand or want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips for you to change this Olive Garden meatballs recipe
- Plain Bread Crumbs - If you don't have Italian bread crumbs, use plain and add 1 extra teaspoon of Italian seasoning.
- Ground Beef - If you don't have ground pork, just use ground beef.
- Dried Parsley - You can use dried parsley if you don't have fresh.
Variations
Want to personalize this Olive Garden meatballs recipe? Here are some of my tried and true tips for changing up this recipe.
- Ground Turkey - If you're watching your cholesterol, you can use ground turkey or chicken.
- Mild - If you don't like spicy food, omit the red pepper flakes.
If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy these air fryer frozen meatballs, Pineapple BBQ Meatballs, Meatball Parmigiana or Bourbon Meatballs.
Equipment
You'll only need a few simple pieces of equipment to make these easy meatballs.
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing bowl
- Skillet
Storage
You can store these in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 3 months.
Tips
This recipe is so easy, there aren't many tips to be had. In fact, I only have a couple.
- Roll the meatballs as tightly as possible to help them maintain their shape.
- Let your meatballs get a nice sear on a side before flipping.
- Looking for what to serve with meatballs? Look no further.
FAQ
Do you have questions about Olive Garden spaghetti and meatballs? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about this copycat Olive Garden spaghetti and meatballs recipe.
Absolutely. Combine the ingredients and shape the meatballs. Then, refrigerate them until ready to cook.
They'll last for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in the freezer.
Open-air freeze them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Then, place them in an air-tight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag.
Just leave them in the refrigerator overnight?
The easiest way is to place them on a plate in the microwave and cover them with a paper towel. Then, microwave them at 30-second intervals until hot.
Olive Garden Meatballs Video
More Meatball Recipes
Do you like Meatballs? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.
Olive Garden Meatballs
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Meatballs - Olive Garden Copycat
Equipment
- skillet
- Scoop or spoon for meatballs
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb ground sausage
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoon parmesan grated
- 2 teaspoon garlic minced
- ¾ cup Italian bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
Pasta Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon red wine
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
Garnish
- Fresh Parsley chopped
- Parmesan shredded
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
Meatballs
- Using a good sized mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients for the meatballs. Mix until totally blended.
- Preheat a skillet on your stovetop over medium high heat.
- Scoop meatball mixture into ¼ cup portions.. Roll each in the palms of your hands to form into a tight ball.
- Next, place meatballs in hot skillet ad sear for 3 minutes, stirring or turning meatballs as they sear.
- Place skillet into oven on the center rack and bake for 15 minutes.
Pasta Sauce
- Place a saucepan over medium heat. Add olive oil and swirl to coat pan. Next, add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the tomato paste and stir for 2 minutes. Add wine and deglaze pan and allow the wine to start to reduce, another 2 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce and stir unti blended. Cover and reduce heat to low.
- Remove meatballs from the oven and drain any drippings in the pan.
- Add 2-3 ladles of sauce to the pan and stir until meatballs are coated.
- Add remaining sauce to meatballs, if desired, serve seperately or with spaghetti or your favorite pasta.
- Garnish with fresh grated or shredded parmesan and some chopped parsley, Emjoy every bite!
Lori says
Very Good! I followed the cooking instructions and browned them and baked and it makes such a difference.
Karin and Ken says
I could not agree with you more! Takes a little more time but makes a big difference! I’m so happy you enjoyed them as much as we do! Hopefully you find some other recipes on this site that you enjoy just as much! All the best. Karin