Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsCiao BellaBraised Meatballs Recipe

Braised Meatballs Recipe

Inspired by Ciao Bella
Time50m
Serves4

veal and Molinari sausage, Bolognese sauce, fontina

Was this page helpful?

Help improve this recipe for others.

Send this recipe to your inbox.

We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.

Ingredients

Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Lunch

Method

Lunch

  1. 1

    Prepare the Meatball Mixture

    In a large mixing bowl, combine the veal, Molinari sausage, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, egg, chopped parsley, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything together until well combined.

  2. 2

    Form the Meatballs

    Using your hands, form the meat mixture into meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter. You should have around 12-15 meatballs.

  3. 3

    Brown the Meatballs

    In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Brown the meatballs on all sides, approximately 5-7 minutes.

  4. 4

    Add the Bolognese Sauce

    Once the meatballs are browned, carefully add the Bolognese sauce to the skillet. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for about 25 minutes, until cooked through.

  5. 5

    Finish with Fontina Cheese

    After the meatballs are cooked, sprinkle the shredded fontina cheese over the top. Cover the skillet again and let it sit for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt.

  6. 6

    Serve

    Serve the braised meatballs hot, garnished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley if desired. Enjoy your hearty lunch!

More from Ciao Bella