Description
This Classic Italian Meatballs recipe delivers tender, flavorful meatballs baked to perfection. Made with seasoned breadcrumbs soaked in milk, ground beef, fresh garlic, onion, Parmesan cheese, and herbs, these meatballs are easy to prepare and perfect as a main dish or served with your favorite sauce. Baking the meatballs ensures a juicy interior and a nicely browned exterior without frying, making this recipe a healthier take on the traditional classic.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatball Mixture
- 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
- 2/3 cup milk of your choice
- 1 lb. ground beef or preferred meat
- 1/4 medium onion, finely chopped or grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (ideally Parmigiano-Reggiano)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or 1 teaspoon dried parsley
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Soak Breadcrumbs: In a large bowl, combine the seasoned breadcrumbs and milk. Allow the mixture to soak for at least 5 minutes, giving the breadcrumbs time to absorb the milk and become moist.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: To the soaked breadcrumb mixture, add ground beef, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, lightly beaten egg, salt, black pepper, grated Parmesan cheese, and fresh or dried parsley. Gently mix all ingredients together by hand, careful not to overwork the mixture to maintain tender meatballs.
- Form Meatballs: Use a cookie scoop or ice cream scoop to portion the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Wet your hands with water to prevent sticking and roll each portion into a uniform 2-inch round meatball, ensuring even cooking.
- Bake Meatballs: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the meatballs for 18-20 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). This ensures they are safely cooked through while remaining juicy.
- Drain and Serve: Once baked, remove the meatballs from the oven and drain any excess fat from the baking sheet. Serve hot with your favorite sauce, pasta, or as desired, and enjoy your classic Italian meatballs!
Notes
- Use fresh breadcrumbs or seasoned store-bought breadcrumbs for enhanced flavor.
- Ground beef can be substituted with ground turkey, pork, or a mix for different flavors and textures.
- Do not overmix the meat mixture to avoid tough meatballs.
- Meatballs can be prepared ahead and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Test doneness with a meat thermometer to ensure safe cooking.
- Serving suggestion: pair with marinara sauce and spaghetti or use in a meatball sub sandwich.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Italian meatballs, classic meatballs, baked meatballs, easy Italian recipe, homemade meatballs
