Melt-In-Your-Mouth Italian Meatballs
These easy oven-baked Italian meatballs are incredibly tender and juicy with irresistible flavors that will have you craving for more. Made with ground beef, onion, garlic, parmesan cheese, and parsley, these meatballs are seasoned to perfection and ready to be served in just 30 minutes!
Prep: 10min
Total: 30min
Yield: 4
Serving Size: 1 serving
Nutrition Facts: calories 320 kcal, servingSize 1 serving
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
- 2/3 cup milk
- 1 lb ground beef (or your choice of meat)
- 1/4 medium onion (finely diced or grated)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 large egg (beaten)
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese (preferably Parmigiano-Reggiano)
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried parsley)
Instruction:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a baking mat.
- In a large mixing bowl, add Italian bread crumbs and milk. Combine well and set aside while preparing the other ingredients, for at least 5 minutes.
- Add ground beef, onion, garlic, egg, salt, black pepper, parmesan cheese, and parsley to the breadcrumb mixture, and mix with your hands until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Portion onto the prepared baking sheet (using a cookie or ice cream scoop will make it easier). Wet your hands with water, and roll meatballs into 2″ diameter balls.
- Bake for about 18-20 minutes, or until the meatballs have reached an internal temperature of 165˚F (74°C). Remove from oven and drain off any excess fat. Serve with your favorite sauce and enjoy!
Juicy MEATBALL RECIPE – How to Cook Italian Meatballs
FAQ
What are traditional Italian meatballs made of?
The classic Italian meatball is made with ground beef or veal. They can be fried, steamed or baked in the oven with a drizzle of olive oil.
What makes Italian meatballs different?
Italian meatballs call for seasonings like grated parmesan and oregano, while Swedish ones use seasonings like nutmeg and allspice. While it doesn’t sound like a huge distinction, you’ll notice it in the taste!
Is it better to fry or bake Italian meatballs?
Baking them gives the meatballs a little more flavor without additional oil since you are searing the outside under the broiler in your oven. Just make sure you bake them on a really heavy-duty baking sheet like this one.
