The star of this recipe is the mortadella. Mortadella is a traditional Italian cooked sausage made of finely ground pork mixed with small cubes of fat. It has a bologna-like texture and is flavored with spices like coriander, nutmeg, and garlic, giving it a unique and delicious taste. When combined with ground beef and seasoned breadcrumbs, it adds a distinctive flavor and texture to the meatballs.
In addition to the mortadella, amaretti cookies are another unique ingredient that sets these meatballs apart. Amaretti cookies are a type of Italian almond cookie, typically made with almond flour, egg whites, and sugar. Their sweet and slightly nutty flavor is the perfect complement to the rich, savory flavor of the meatballs. This combination of flavors creates a delicious meatball that is simultaneously soft and crunchy, with a sweet and savory flavor that is sure to please.
To make these meatballs, you’ll need ground beef, mortadella, amaretti cookies, breadcrumbs, eggs, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Begin by soaking the amaretti cookies in milk until they are soft. Then mix together the ground beef, mortadella, breadcrumbs, eggs, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and salt and pepper to taste. Once everything is well-mixed, gently fold in the soaked amaretti cookies.
Shape the meat mixture into small balls and place them on a baking sheet. Then drizzle them with olive oil and bake them in the oven until they are golden brown and cooked through.
These meatballs are perfect on their own, but they also pair well with a tomato sauce or a mushroom cream sauce. You can serve them as an appetizer or as a main course with a side of vegetables or a salad.
Meatballs with mortadella and amaretti are not only delicious, but they are also easy to make. With their unique combination of flavors and textures, they are sure to be a hit with family and friends. So why not give this classic Italian dish a try and add some flavor and flair to your next dinner party?