These flavorful and moist Baked Italian Meatballs come together in minutes for a quick and easy dinner.
It costs approximately $8.12 to make these meatballs. The recipe makes six servings and costs around $1.35 per serving.
Italian Meatballs
When you need something quick to get on the table for a busy weeknight, or you do not feel like spending a lot of time in the kitchen, this easy meatball recipe is for you! This is one of my time-tested recipes that is my go-to recipe for delicious Italian Meatballs.
It takes twenty minutes to make these meatballs and only twenty minutes to cook them. It is made with simple ingredients and is freezer-friendly, too.
Below, I give you the options for different ways of freezing them for easy access later. Once you make these Italian Meatballs and realize how easy they are, you will never want to buy pre-made ones again.
What You’ll Love About Italian Meatballs Recipe:
- Quality Ingredients: Making these meatballs homemade allows you to control the ingredients you are using. High-quality lean ground beef and real Parmesan Cheese make this recipe a high-quality meal with the best flavor possible. They are way better than pre-packaged meatballs from the grocery store.
- Versatility: Enjoy these homemade meatballs with marinara dipping sauce in a meatball sub, on spaghetti, or any other way you would like.
- Quick Dinner Option: Get dinner on the table in less than an hour when you make these perfect Italian meatballs. It is a great meal for busy weeknights.
Ingredients and Estimated Cost
Per Serving Cost: $1.35
Recipe Cost: $8.12
- ¾ cup milk – $0.18
- ½ cup Italian bread crumbs – $0.28
- 1 pound ground beef – $4.83
- ⅓ pound ground pork – $0.81
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese – $0.60
- ½ cup onion – $0.23
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic – $0.21
- 2 Tablespoons Italian seasoning – $0.43
- 1 large egg – $0.27
- 1 teaspoon sea salt – $0.04
- 1 Tablespoon fresh parsley – $0.24
NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated by using grocery store websites. The recipe cost is calculated by the amounts needed for the recipe. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have. I updated the pricing for this recipe in November 2023.
How To Make Easy Italian Meatballs Recipe
***For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.
- First, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Then, mix together the milk and bread crumbs. Let the mixture sit for two minutes.
- Next, using a large bowl, combine the beef, pork, cheese, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, eggs, sea salt, and breadcrumb mixture.
- To form the meatballs, scoop out the meat mixture with a medium cookie scoop and then roll them into balls after wetting your hands with water.
- Finally, set the meatballs on the baking sheet and bake for fifteen to twenty minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
Italian Meatballs Recipe Variations:
- Have fresh herbs available? Use fresh rosemary, thyme, and fresh basil instead of the Italian seasoning (2 teaspoons fresh chopped of each).
- To make Italian Sausage Meatballs, replace the ground beef with Italian Sausage. You can use either sweet or hot.
- If you don’t have Italian breadcrumbs, then you can use Panko breadcrumbs.
Serving and Storage Tips:
SERVE: Serve these homemade Italian meatballs over spaghetti, as meatball subs, or with a homemade marinara sauce for dipping.
STORE: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
FREEZE: You can double this recipe to make a lot of meatballs and freeze half for later use. You can freeze either the leftover meatballs or raw meatballs. Store the meatballs in an airtight container and freeze them for up to three months.
Baked Italian Meatballs Recipe FAQs:
The main difference is in the taste. Italian meatballs are seasoned with Italian Seasoning, parmesan, parsley, Italian Breadcrumbs, and more. Regular meatballs are more bland in taste, typically seasoned with salt, pepper, and regular breadcrumbs.
Anything you fry is delicious. However, baked meatballs are easier to make. So, for the sake of this recipe, baking them in the oven is my preferred cooking method and my favorite way to make these beef meatballs, as it helps to keep this a quick and simple recipe.
If the meatballs are hard, it could be a result of overcooking the meatballs. Be sure to cook them just until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
They will continue to cook slightly after removing them from the oven, so it is important not to cook them any longer than needed to avoid having overcooked, dry, hard meatballs. The goal is to make juicy and tender meatballs!
More Recipes:
- How to Bake Chicken Thighs
- Cheese Calzone
- Italian Soda
- Shirley Temple Drink
- Golumpki Recipe
- Cannoli Cream Recipe
- Tri-Color Pasta Salad
- Baked Stuffed Shrimp
- How To Make Homemade Pizza
- Recipe for Ambrosia Salad
Italian Meatballs
Equipment
- baking sheet
- mixing bowls
- mixing spoon
- Medium ice cream scoop
- Meat Thermometer
Ingredients
- ¾ cup milk
- ½ cup Italian bread crumbs
- 1 pound ground beef
- ⅓ pound ground pork
- ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- ½ cup onion finely minced
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 Tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 Tablespoon fresh parsley minced
Instructions
PREP OVEN AND BAKING SHEET:
- Move the oven rack to the middle position.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
MAKE MEATBALL MIXTURE:
- In a small bowl, combine the milk and the bread crumbs and let sit for 2 minutes.
- Mix the beef, pork, cheese, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, eggs, sea salt, and breadcrumb mixture in a large bowl.
FORM MEATBALLS:
- Use a medium ice cream scoop and scoop out meatballs.
- Wet your hands with water and roll into balls.
BAKE MEATBALLS:
- Place the meatballs in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.
- Test for doneness with a meat thermometer inserted into the middle. The temperature should reach 165° when fully cooked.
Notes
- Make a double batch and freeze some for quick use later. These may be frozen before or after they are cooked.
- Have fresh herbs available? Use fresh rosemary, thyme, and basil instead of the Italian seasoning. (2 tsp fresh chopped of each)
- Use a cookie scoop to keep the meatballs the same size.
- Wet your hands to keep the meatballs from sticking when rolling the meatballs.
- Ways to serve: over spaghetti, meatball subs, with a marinara dipping sauce.
Nutrition
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