Baked Meatballs with Bacon

Here is the Italian recipe for oven-baked meatballs wrapped in bacon, a flavorful dish that combines the tradition of meatballs with a touch of smoky bacon flavor.

Ingredients

• 500 g ground meat (you can use veal, beef, or a combination of the two)
• 100 g breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 80 g grated Parmesan
• 1 clove of garlic (optional, finely chopped)
• Fresh chopped parsley (to taste)
• Salt and black pepper (to taste)
• 12 slices of bacon
• Extra virgin olive oil (to grease the baking tray)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
2. In a large bowl, mix the ground meat with the breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, chopped garlic, parsley, salt and pepper to taste. Work the mixture until all ingredients are well combined.
3. Take portions of the mixture and form meatballs the size of a walnut or slightly larger, according to your preference.
4. Wrap each meatball in a slice of bacon, making sure the bacon completely covers the meat. If necessary, you can secure the bacon with a toothpick.
5. Lightly grease a baking tray with extra virgin olive oil and arrange the bacon-wrapped meatballs on the tray.
6. Bake and cook for about 20-25 minutes or until the meatballs are golden and the bacon is crispy.
7. Once cooked, remove the meatballs from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.

Trivia

Meatballs in Italy are a very traditional dish, often served with sauces or as part of more complex preparations like baked pasta. The addition of bacon is a modern touch that blends Italian flavors with external influences, creating a dish with bold taste and interesting texture. Remember you can experiment with herbs and spices in the meatball mixture to create new and personalized versions.