Baked Italian Meatballs Recipe
These Baked Italian Meatballs are a flavorful and healthy twist on a classic favorite. Made with lean ground beef, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasonings, they are baked to perfection for a tender texture and paired perfectly with your favorite pasta sauce and noodles or zucchini noodles. Easy to prepare and ideal for a quick weeknight meal, these meatballs are juicy, satisfying, and sure to please the whole family.
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup milk (2%)
- 1/2 cup crushed crackers or breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup finely minced yellow onion
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Your favorite pasta sauce
- Cooked pasta or zucchini noodles
- Fresh parsley (optional)
- Additional grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400℉ and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- 2
Mix Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the ground beef, egg, milk, crushed crackers, Parmesan cheese, minced onion, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Use your hands or a spoon to mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- 3
Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into 12 equal-sized meatballs, approximately golf ball size. You can use your hands or a cookie scoop for uniform portions.
- 4
Arrange Meatballs: Place the formed meatballs evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet for even cooking.
- 5
Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 16-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165℉, ensuring they are fully cooked and juicy.
- 6
Remove from Oven: Take the meatballs out of the oven once done baking and allow them to rest momentarily.
- 7
Optional Sauce Toss: To add extra flavor, heat your preferred pasta sauce in a skillet over medium heat. Transfer the baked meatballs into the sauce and gently toss to coat. Heat through evenly.
- 8
Garnish and Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve hot over cooked pasta or zucchini noodles.
- 9
Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, perfect for meal prep or quick reheat meals.
- 10
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