Tonys Pizza Napoletana Meatball Recipes

THE BEST MEATBALL PIZZA RECIPE

Steps:

• Set aside 1/2 cup meatball mixture. Form remaining mixture into small balls, roughly 3/4 inch in diameter. Set aside on a plate in the refrigerator.
• Place a Baking Steel on the top rack of the oven directly under the broiler and preheat oven to its highest possible temperature.
• Heat 2 tablespoons (30ml) oil in a medium saucepan over high heat until shimmering. Add reserved meatball mixture and cook, breaking mixture up with a spoon, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Add sauce and half of basil, stir to combine, and bring to a simmer.
• Add meatballs, dropping them into the simmering sauce one at a time. Cook, without moving, until meatballs are starting to set, about 2 minutes. Carefully turn meatballs in sauce and continue to cook, stirring gently and occasionally, until meatballs are fully cooked, about 3 more minutes.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer meatballs to a bowl or plate, taking along as little sauce as possible. Discard cooked basil.
• Turn a single dough ball out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently press out dough into a rough 8-inch circle, leaving the outer 1 inch higher than the rest. Gently stretch dough by draping over knuckles, forming a 12- to 14-inch circle about 1/4 inch thick. Transfer to a pizza peel.
• Switch broiler on high. Spread approximately 2/3 cup sauce evenly over surface of crust, leaving a 1/2- to 1-inch border. Evenly spread one-third of cheese over sauce. Add one-third of meatballs. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil and sprinkle with remaining basil leaves and salt. Slide pizza onto Baking Steel and bake until cheese is melted, with some browned spots, and crust is golden brown and puffed, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board, sprinkle with 1/2 ounce Romano or Parmesan cheese, slice, and serve immediately.
• Repeat steps 6 and 7 with remaining 2 dough balls, remaining sauce, cheese, meatballs, basil leaves, oil, salt, and Romano or Parmesan.

POLPETTE ALLA NAPOLETANA (NEAPOLITAN MEATBALLS)

Steps:

• In a shallow bowl, soak the bread cubes in water to cover for a minute or two.
• Drain the bread cubes and squeeze with your fingers to press out the excess moisture (make sure you do this well).
• In a large bowl, combine the bread cubes, beef, eggs, garlic, pecorino, parsley, toasted pine nuts, salt and pepper, and mix with your hands to incorporate.
• With wet hands, form the mixture into 12-15 meatballs, each smaller than a tennis ball, but larer than a golf ball.
• In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet, heat the oil over medium heat until almost smoking.
• Add the meatballs and, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan, cook until deep golden brown on all sides, about 10 minutes.
• Add the tomato sauce and reduce the heat to a simmer.
• Cook all the meatballs for 30 minutes.
• Set aside and allow to cool; save the sauce for another use.

MEATBALLS TONY'S WAY

Steps:

• Place bread in a medium bowl; add enough water to moisten and let stand for 1 minute. Drain and squeeze liquid from bread; tear or crumble bread into small pieces and transfer to a large bowl, along with ground beef, garlic, parsley, cheese, raisins, pine nuts, salt, pepper, eggs, and dried breadcrumbs. Mix until well combined.
• Shape meat mixture into 2 1/2-inch meatballs. Place equal amounts of olive and grapeseed oil in a large skillet so that the skillet is filled 1/2-inch deep with oil and heat over medium heat. When oil is hot, add meatballs to skillet, working in batches if necessary, and cook, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer meatballs to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
• Heat tomato sauce in a large saucepan. Transfer meatballs to saucepan and let simmer for 30 minutes. Serve with remaining cheese.