Here’s a classic baked meatballs recipe — juicy, flavorful, and easy to make without the mess of frying!
🍝 Classic Baked Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork for extra flavor)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (plain or Italian)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder (optional)
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
- Olive oil or cooking spray (for the baking sheet)
Instructions
- Preheat oven:
Heat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and lightly coat with cooking spray. - Make the mixture:
In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, milk, egg, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and seasonings.
Mix gently with your hands or a fork just until combined (don’t overmix — that can make them tough). - Form meatballs:
Roll into 1½-inch balls (about golf ball size). You should get around 18–20 meatballs. - Bake:
Arrange on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until browned and cooked through (internal temp should be 160°F / 71°C). - Serve:
Serve with marinara sauce and pasta, in subs, or as appetizers with dipping sauce.
💡 Tips & Variations
- For extra tenderness: Soak the breadcrumbs in milk for 5 minutes before mixing.
- Cheesy version: Add a small cube of mozzarella in the center of each meatball before baking.
- Lean option: Use ground turkey or chicken — just reduce baking time slightly.
Would you like me to include a baked meatballs with sauce (in the oven) version too?
