Baked Meatballs with Bacon

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

Ingredients

• 500 g of ground meat (you can use veal, beef or a combination of both)
• 100 g of breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 80 g of grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 clove of garlic (optional, finely chopped)
• Chopped fresh parsley (to taste)
• Salt and black pepper (to taste)
• 12 slices of bacon
• Extra virgin olive oil (for greasing the pan)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
2. In a large bowl, mix the ground meat with 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 preferences.
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 pan with extra virgin olive oil and place the bacon-wrapped meatballs on the pan.
6. Bake 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.

Curiosity

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