You can’t enjoy spaghetti without the meatballs. Complete your classic Italian spaghetti and meatballs dish with this copycat Carrabba’s meatballs recipe. These meatballs are made with a combination of pork, chicken, and beef that creates an authentic flavor you just have to taste. The tender meat ingredients are then seasoned with salt, pepper, and breadcrumbs with sauteed onion and garlic. This combination of flavorful ingredients will definitely improve the savory taste of your meatballs.
Since we’re using a crockpot or slow cooker for this copycat recipe, expect that your inspired Carrabba’s meatballs will have a richer and more delicious flavor. Crockpot cooking helps tenderize the meat. The crockpot’s low heat and slow cooking help bring out the meat’s appetizing taste. Enjoy these crockpot meatballs warm, tender, and served over spaghetti. You can top it off with some garnish like grated parmesan cheese or chopped parsley with a side of mashed potatoes and gravy.
How To Make Carrabba's Meatballs Recipe (Copycat)
This homemade Italian meatballs copycat recipe inspired from Carrabba’s is a fun way to improve your usual spaghetti dishes. It’s a simple recipe made from combining three kinds of meat with onion, garlic, eggs, and breadcrumbs. These seasoning ingredients give the meatballs a rich and savory taste that’s perfect to pair with spaghetti.
Ingredients
- 10 oz ground pork
- 3 oz ground chicken
- 10 oz ground beef
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated or powdered
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup red onions
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- ⅓ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup parsley, finely chopped
- salt and ground black pepper
To Serve:
- ¼ cup marinara sauce
- 7 oz spaghetti, cooked
To Garnish:
- 2 tbsp parmesan cheese
- 1 sprig parsley
Instructions
- Saute the onions and garlic in oil until translucent. Set aside to cool.
- Mix all the other ingredients, including the onions and garlic, until evenly combined.
- Once all of the ingredients are thoroughly combined, create 3 ounce meatballs.
- Arrange the meatballs inside of the crockpot and cook on Low for about 3 to 4 hours, or until cooked through.
- Once cooked, remove the meatballs and then serve with marinara sauce over spaghetti. Garnish.
Nutrition
- Sugar: 3g
- :
- Calcium: 147mg
- Calories: 632kcal
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Cholesterol: 166mg
- Fat: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Iron: 3mg
- Monounsaturated Fat: 13g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g
- Potassium: 629mg
- Protein: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Sodium: 339mg
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Vitamin A: 477IU
- Vitamin C: 7mg
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Frequently Asked Questions
Should I put breadcrumbs in meatballs?
Breadcrumbs are a common ingredient in meatball recipes. They are a necessary filler ingredient that prevents meatball dryness. The breadcrumbs help absorb the juices of the ground meat during the cooking process. Breadcrumbs also act as a binding ingredient for the meatballs, but too much of it can make it fall apart so make sure you stick to the recipe’s provided measurement.
Can I use Italian sausage instead of ground beef?
Yes, you can substitute the ground beef for Italian sausage to give it an extra kick of sweet or spicy flavor. It’s common to use Italian sausages in any Italian related recipes since they come in a variety of flavors. It can improve the overall flavor of your meatballs and give it that authentic Italian flavor.
What to serve with spaghetti and meatballs?
There are a lot of other recipes where you can pair these delicious copycat Carrabba’s meatballs with spaghetti. This recipe is a filling meal so you’ll need delicious and light side dishes like some healthy salads or vegetables. You can try pairing it with a cherry tomato salad, or for a much simpler vegetable option, you can make roasted asparagus.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for homemade Italian-style meatballs, then this copycat Carrabba’s meatballs recipe is definitely worth trying. It’s made from three different kinds of meat that are wonderfully seasoned then cooked using a crockpot. These tender meatballs are best served over some spaghetti with marinara sauce and a cheese and parsley garnish.Have your own special recipe to share? Submit Your Recipe Today!
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