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A white plate piled with homemade lamb meatballs, garnished with chopped parsley. The blurred background shows fresh vegetables like zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and onion.

Best Italian Lamb Meatballs Recipe

Melissa Griffiths
Learn how to make juicy Lamb Meatballs with ricotta, fresh herbs, and garlic. These tender ground lamb meatballs are perfect for pasta, pita, or meal prep. Ready in 30 minutes!
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 30 meatballs
Calories 67 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • ¾ cup plain breadcrumbs
  • 2 garlic cloves (grated)
  • ¼ cup cream (see note)
  • ¼ cup ricotta cheese (see note)
  • 1 pound ground American lamb (see note)
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon dried onions (onion powder can be substituted)
  • 3 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (1 ½ tablespoons if using dried)
  • 1 ½ tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (2 teaspoons if using dried)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl combine the breadcrumbs, ricotta, and cream. Mix until evenly combined. Set aside. 
    ¾ cup plain breadcrumbs, ¼ cup ricotta cheese, ¼ cup cream
  • While the above mixture rests, combine the ground American lamb and the rest of the ingredients in a large bowl, and mix until just combined.
    2 garlic cloves, 1 pound ground American lamb, 1 egg, 1 tablespoon dried onions, 3 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped, 1 ½ tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped , 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper
  • Add the breadcrumb mixture to the lamb mixture, and mix well until everything is combined. The texture should be slightly sticky and slimy, not too dry and not too wet. Reference video for example. 
  • Shape the meatballs so they are roughly the same size; for 25-30 meatballs, use about 1 tablespoon of meat. 
  • Line meatballs on a broiler pan or a cookie sheet sprayed with baking spray or lined with parchment.
  • Broil the meatballs on high for about 10 minutes or until they are nicely browned on top. 
  • The meatballs won't be cooked completely, so finish cooking them in whatever recipe you're using them for or flash freeze and then store in the freezer for future use!

Notes

Dairy Substitution: You can use ⅓ cup milk in place of the ricotta and cream. Even though the amount of milk is less than the cream and ricotta, the volume will equal out in the final recipe. 
Gluten-free: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or rolled oats processed into fine crumbs.
Finishing: Add partially-cooked meatballs to simmering sauce and cook for 10-15 minutes until cooked through.

Nutrition

Serving: 1of 30 meatballsCalories: 67kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 3gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.001gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 111mgPotassium: 51mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 0.3gVitamin A: 74IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 0.4mg
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