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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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://cheframiflavor.com/baked-italian-meatballs-recipe/