Meatballs with Meat and Apples

Name: Meatballs with Meat and Apples
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 20
Ingredients: Beef ground 0.9 lb; Golden delicious apples 1; Breadcrumbs 1 cup; Whole milk ¼ cup; Eggs 1; Garlic 1 clove; Parsley 1 tuft; Fine salt 1 pinch; Black pepper to taste; Olive oil to taste

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Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Makes: 20 pieces
Cost: Low

PRESENTATION

Recipe by
Gessica Runcio

You know, in Italian kitchens, apple meatballs really show how a classic comfort food can get a fresh twist with just one simple ingredient swap. All over Italy, families make polpette their own way—some toss in bits of provola or a handful of Parmigiano—but adding apples gives it that sweet and tangy vibe that really stands out. These meatballs are not the usual kind you'd find in a red sauce. They're all about mixing savory flavors with that little pop of fruit. So every bite? A bit moist, a bit tender, and just a lot of fun. And folks in the northern regions especially love this combo during those colder months, giving their traditional recipes a cozy, seasonal boost.

With pork and apple meatballs or even turkey apple meatballs, you get a dish that feels both familiar and totally new at the same time. It's the touch of provola cheese that keeps things melty, while the apples keep it interesting. Seriously good. It’s one of those fall meals that sticks around in your memory.

And here's the thing: there's a reason these apple-infused meatballs keep popping up on Italian tables when winter rolls around. The way the golden outside turns slightly crispy while the inside stays juicy is so so satisfying. Every family has their own twist, which is great. Parmigiano adds a salty kick, and apples give it that mild, sweet finish—making each bite really kinda addictive. Sometimes people even serve them with a quick applesauce or a light glaze. For real, it's all about that sweet-and-savory thing.

Doesn't matter if you go with pork or try something lighter like turkey apple meatballs; they're pretty simple to put together. Works great as part of a big family dinner or even as a snack for get-togethers. So many variations come from different towns and family traditions. But what stays the same is how these apple meatballs make people want to gather around the table and dig in together. And look, that's really what Italian home cooking is all about—simple food, good company, and the kind of flavors you remember.

How to prepare Meatballs with Meat and Apples

To make the meat and apple meatballs, first peel the apple, cut it into quarters, remove the core 1, and then cut it into small cubes 2. In a bowl, pour the ground meat, add the apple 3,

and then the rest of the ingredients: breadcrumbs 4, milk 5, the whole egg 6

season with chopped parsley 7, salt 8, and pepper to taste. Mix with a spoon 9 to blend all the ingredients together

and finally add the minced garlic clove 10, which you can also omit, at your discretion. Now take small portions of the mixture with wet hands and form walnut-sized balls 11. With the given amounts, you will get about 20 meatballs. Now pour the oil into a pan, heat it, and fry the meatballs 12 for about 3 minutes.

Once they are golden brown 13, drain them and place them on a tray lined with absorbent paper to dry the excess oil 14. Serve the meat and apple meatballs hot 15.

Storage

You can store the meat and apple meatballs in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap for 3-4 days. You can freeze them if you used fresh ingredients.