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Juicy baked Italian meatballs served with pasta and marinara sauce

Baked Italian Meatballs That Turn Out Perfectly Juicy Every Time


  • Author: Cindy
  • Total Time: 26 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings (12 meatballs)

Description

Juicy oven baked Italian meatballs made with ground beef, Parmesan, and classic herbs. Perfect for pasta dinners, meal prep, or comforting family meals.


Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef

1 large egg

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup crushed crackers or breadcrumbs

1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

1/4 cup finely minced yellow onion

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Pasta sauce for serving

Cooked pasta or zucchini noodles for serving


Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a mixing bowl combine ground beef, egg, milk, crushed crackers, Parmesan cheese, onion, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

3. Mix gently until evenly combined without overworking the meat.

4. Shape the mixture into 12 golf ball sized meatballs.

5. Arrange meatballs evenly on the prepared baking sheet.

6. Bake for 16 to 20 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

7. Warm pasta sauce in a skillet over medium heat.

8. Add baked meatballs to the sauce and gently toss to coat.

9. Serve over cooked pasta or zucchini noodles and garnish with parsley and Parmesan.

Notes

Avoid overmixing the meat mixture to keep the meatballs tender.

Parchment paper helps prevent sticking and simplifies cleanup.

Leftover meatballs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 16 minutes
  • Category: Meal Prep Recipes
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: Italian-American