Print

Baked Italian Meatballs Recipe

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.1 from 2 reviews

These Baked Italian Meatballs are a delicious and easy-to-make classic Italian-American favorite. Made with lean ground beef, Parmesan cheese, and aromatic Italian seasonings, they bake quickly in the oven to a juicy, flavorful perfection. Serve them over your choice of pasta or zucchini noodles with your favorite sauce for a comforting meal the whole family will love.

Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup milk (2%)
  • 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 Parmesan cheese, grated

For Serving

  • Your favorite pasta sauce
  • Cooked pasta or zucchini noodles

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easier cleanup.
  2. Mix Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine lean ground beef, egg, milk, crushed crackers, Parmesan cheese, minced yellow onion, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently but thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
  3. Form Meatballs: Using your hands or a cookie scoop, form the mixture into 12 evenly sized golf-ball-sized meatballs.
  4. Arrange Meatballs: Place the formed meatballs evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet to allow for even cooking.
  5. Bake: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 16-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), ensuring they are fully cooked and juicy.
  6. Remove from Oven: Take the meatballs out of the oven and let them rest briefly to retain their juices.
  7. Optional Sauce Toss: For added flavor, heat your favorite pasta sauce in a skillet over medium heat. Transfer the baked meatballs into the heated sauce and gently toss to coat and warm through.
  8. Serve: Garnish the meatballs with chopped fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve hot over cooked pasta or zucchini noodles for a satisfying meal.
  9. Store Leftovers: Place any leftover meatballs in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.

Notes

  • Use lean ground beef to reduce fat content without sacrificing flavor.
  • Crushed crackers can be substituted with breadcrumbs for texture variation.
  • Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure safe cooking.
  • For a lower-carb option, serve with zucchini noodles instead of pasta.
  • This recipe can be doubled easily for larger gatherings.
  • Leftover meatballs freeze well; thaw fully before reheating.

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