Baked Italian Meatballs Recipe

Introduction

Baked Italian Meatballs are a classic, flavorful dish perfect for family dinners or meal prep. These tender, juicy meatballs are easy to make and pair beautifully with your favorite pasta or zucchini noodles. Enjoy a comforting taste of Italy right at home.

Ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup milk (2% preferred)
• ½ cup crushed crackers or breadcrumbs
• ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup finely minced yellow onion
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon fine salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• Optional for garnish: fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese
• For serving: favorite pasta sauce and cooked pasta or zucchini noodles

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400℉ and line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, combine the ground beef, egg, milk, crushed crackers, Parmesan cheese, minced onion, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well until evenly combined.
3. Step 3: Form the mixture into 12 meatballs, roughly the size of golf balls, using your hands or a cookie scoop.
4. Step 4: Arrange the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly.
5. Step 5: Bake for 16 to 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165℉.
6. Step 6: Remove the meatballs from the oven.
7. Step 7: (Optional) Warm your pasta sauce in a skillet over medium heat. Add the baked meatballs and gently toss to coat and heat through. Garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve over cooked pasta or zucchini noodles.

Tips & Variations

• For extra moisture, substitute half of the milk with plain yogurt or add a splash of olive oil to the mixture.
• Try mixing ground pork or turkey with the beef for a different flavor and texture.
• Gluten-free? Use gluten-free crackers or breadcrumbs to suit your needs.
• Make ahead by assembling the meatballs and freezing them on a baking sheet before transferring to a bag for later baking.

Storage

Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm them gently in a skillet with sauce or microwave until heated through.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I bake the meatballs at a lower temperature?

Yes, you can bake meatballs at 350℉, but they will take longer—about 25 to 30 minutes. Make sure the internal temperature reaches 165℉ for safety.

Can I use frozen meatballs directly from the freezer?

Yes, you can bake frozen meatballs but add extra baking time—typically 10 more minutes—and ensure they reach 165℉ internally before serving.

Baked Italian Meatballs Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 54 reviews

This delicious Baked Italian Meatballs recipe features lean ground beef combined with flavorful herbs, Parmesan cheese, and spices, baked to juicy perfection. Perfectly paired with your favorite pasta sauce and noodles or zucchini noodles, these meatballs offer a comforting and easy meal that’s family-friendly and packed with classic Italian flavors.

• Author: rami
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 12 meatballs (serves 4) 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meatballs

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup milk (2% preferred)
• ½ cup crushed crackers or breadcrumbs
• ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup finely minced yellow onion
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon fine salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Optional Garnish

• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Additional grated Parmesan cheese

For Serving

• Your favorite pasta sauce
• Cooked pasta or zucchini noodles

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper. This ensures easy cleanup and prevents the meatballs from sticking.
2. Mix Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the lean ground beef, egg, milk, crushed crackers or breadcrumbs, freshly grated Parmesan, minced yellow onion, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir the mixture thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
3. Form Meatballs: Using your hands or a cookie scoop, shape the mixture into 12 evenly sized meatballs approximately the size of a golf ball. This helps them cook uniformly.
4. Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the formed meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart to ensure even heat circulation during baking.
5. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 16 to 20 minutes or until the internal temperature of the meatballs reaches 165°F (74°C), ensuring they are cooked through and safe to eat.
6. Remove from Oven: Carefully take the meatballs out of the oven once fully cooked.
7. Optional Sauce Toss: Heat your favorite pasta sauce in a skillet over medium heat. Transfer the baked meatballs into the skillet and gently toss them in the sauce to coat and heat through. This adds moisture and intensified flavor.
8. Garnish and Serve: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve the meatballs over cooked pasta or zucchini noodles for a complete meal.
9. Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.

Notes

• You can substitute crushed crackers with your favorite breadcrumbs or gluten-free alternatives if desired.
• Use lean ground beef to reduce fat content while keeping meatballs moist with added milk and egg.
• Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure proper cooking and food safety.
• For a lower-carb option, serve with zucchini noodles instead of traditional pasta.
• Leftover meatballs can be frozen for up to 1 month; thaw before reheating.

Keywords: Italian meatballs, baked meatballs, ground beef meatballs, easy dinner, classic Italian recipe, homemade meatballs