Which ingredient is essential for making the House-Made Meatballs appetizer?

The House-Made Meatballs appetizer is primarily made with ground beef, making it an essential ingredient for creating the dish. Ground beef offers a rich flavor and the right fat content, which helps bind the meatballs together while also contributing to their juicy texture. When combined with other seasoning components, ground beef allows the meatballs to achieve the right balance of taste and consistency that customers expect.

Other protein options, while popular in different meatball variations, do not provide the same flavor profile or texture that ground beef does in this particular recipe. Ground turkey, pork sausage, and lamb can indeed be used in meatball recipes, but they are not the foundational ingredient in this specific appetizer from the Cooper's Hawk menu.