19/03/2026
Meatless Friday is Here! Here is another Italian classic delizioso!
Pallotte Cace e Ove (Italian Cheese and Egg "Meatballs")
Hailing from the Abruzzo region of Italy, these are ingenious "meatballs" that contain no meat at all. They are made from a simple mixture of stale bread, eggs, and Pecorino cheese, fried until golden, and then simmered in a rich tomato sauce.
Ingredients:
For the meatballs:
2 cups stale bread, crusts removed, torn into small pieces
1/2 cup milk
3 large eggs
1 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese (plus more for serving)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
Salt and black pepper to taste
All-purpose flour, for dredging
Olive oil, for frying
For the sauce:
2 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, whole or thinly sliced
1 (28 oz / 800g) can crushed tomatoes
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh basil leaves
Instructions:
Make the meatball mixture: In a small bowl, soak the torn bread in the milk for about 10 minutes until softened. Squeeze out the excess milk and place the bread in a large bowl.
Form the meatballs: Add the eggs, grated Pecorino cheese, minced garlic, and parsley to the bowl with the bread. Season with salt and pepper. Mix everything together with your hands until well combined. The mixture should be moist but hold its shape. Form the mixture into small, 1-inch balls.
Prepare the sauce: While you form the meatballs, start the sauce. In a separate large pot or skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the whole garlic cloves and cook until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Remove the garlic if you like, or leave it in. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, season with salt and pepper, and add a few fresh basil leaves. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it cook gently while you fry the meatballs.
Fry the meatballs: Place some flour in a shallow dish. Gently dredge each meatball in the flour, shaking off any excess. In a large skillet, heat about 1/2 inch of olive oil over medium-high heat. Fry the meatballs in batches, turning occasionally, until golden brown on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per batch. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
Simmer in sauce: Gently drop the fried meatballs into the simmering tomato sauce. Let them cook in the sauce for at least 15-20 minutes, allowing them to absorb the flavor.
Serve: Serve the meatballs and sauce over pasta, with crusty bread, or with a side of steamed rice. Sprinkle with extra Pecorino cheese and fresh basil.