Get ready for meatball madness with our #1 Baked Meatball Recipe! Packed with ground beef and pork (or turkey for the lighter version), these meaty delights are seasoned to perfection with a blend of Italian herbs and spices. Just pop ’em in the oven, and in no time, you’ll have a batch of deliciously browned, tender meatballs that are perfect for pairing with your favorite pasta sauce or stashing in the freezer for future cravings.
The Meatball Odyssey
Legend has it that meatballs have been around since ancient times. Picture this: A curious caveman decides to shape leftover mammoth meat into small, round morsels, roasts them over an open flame, and voilà – the world’s first meatball! Well, maybe it didn’t happen exactly like that, but you get the idea.
Ingredients To Make Fabulous Meatballs:
- Breadcrumbs: These trusty crumbs serve as the meatball’s breadcrumbs back home, holding everything together in a tight, delicious embrace.
- Eggs: The eggs are the meatball’s glue, ensuring that each bite stays perfectly intact.
- Milk: Milk adds a touch of creaminess to the mix.
- Worcestershire sauce: Worcestershire sauce steps in as the secret ingredient, infusing your meatballs with an umami kick that’ll have you wondering why you didn’t add it to everything sooner.
- Garlic: Garlic, the flavor champion of the culinary world.
- Parmesan cheese: Parmesan cheese brings that cheesy charm to your meatballs.
- Herbs & Spices: The herbs and spices like oregano, basil, and parsley, dance their way into your meatballs.
How to BAKE Meatballs:
Full Printable recipe & instructions below
- Meatball Mash: In a large bowl, combine the ground meats with breadcrumbs, eggs, milk, Worcestershire sauce, pressed garlic, Parmesan cheese, and oregano, basil, and parsley.
- The Seasonings: Sprinkle in onion powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to ensure that each meatball is perfectly seasoned.
- Get Handsy – Alright, folks, it’s time to get down and dirty with your meatballs – and I mean that in the most delicious way possible! Put on your culinary gloves because we’re about to dive headfirst into the meatball mixing extravaganza. Grab that bowl filled with your ground beef and pork, and plunge your hands right in. Gently mix and combine the meat between your fingers. No need for a strong grip here – we want these meatballs to be tender and lovingly made.
- Shape It Up: Now, it’s time to shape those meatballs. Grab a scoop of the mixture, roll it gently between your palms, and voilà – meatball magic!
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, keeping an eye on their size to ensure they cook evenly. Once they’re beautifully browned and no pink remains in the center, we know they’re ready to be devoured.
These meatballs are versatile, my friends. You can serve them as an appetizer, nestled on a platter with toothpicks for easy snacking. Or, you can elevate them into a meal by adding them to your favorite pasta dish, simmering them in a flavorful tomato sauce, or even using them as a topping for a MOUTHWATERING MEATBALL SUB.
Customize Your Culinary Adventure:
Meatballs are like a blank canvas for flavor. Here are some tips on how to customize this recipe to suit your taste:
- Herbs: Experiment with different herbs to elevate the flavor profile. Consider rosemary for a woodsy aroma, thyme for earthiness, or cilantro for a fresh twist.
- Spice It Up: If you crave a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the mixture. For a smoky kick, try a dash of smoked paprika.
- Cheese Choices: While Parmesan is the star here, you can explore other cheese options like sharp cheddar, asiago, or pecorino romano for a cheesy adventure.
- Meat Medley: Don’t limit yourself to just beef and pork. Ground turkey, chicken, or even lamb can bring unique flavors to your meatballs.
- Breadcrumbs Variations: Swap traditional breadcrumbs for panko for an extra crispy texture. You can even experiment with gluten-free breadcrumbs if you have dietary preferences.
- Flavorful Fillings: Consider adding surprises to the center of your meatballs, like a cube of mozzarella or a slice of jalapeño for a burst of flavor.
- Sauce Selection: While these meatballs are delicious on their own, you can pair them with a variety of sauces. Try classic marinara, creamy Alfredo, or even a tangy BBQ sauce.
Now that you’re a certified meatball maestro, go forth and conquer the world with your savory spheres of deliciousness. Remember, whether you’re whipping up a batch for a family dinner or an epic meatball showdown with friends, the key ingredients are always love, laughter, and a healthy dose of deliciousness.
So, gather your ground meats, roll up your sleeves, and let’s create meatball memories that’ll have everyone saying, “These are the best damn meatballs I’ve ever had!”
Let’s Stay Connected!🎉📩
SIMPLE Basic Meatball Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 18–20 Large or 48 Cocktail Meatballs 1x
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Ground Beef
- ½ Lb. Ground Pork (or Turkey)
- 1 Cup Breadcrumbs
- 2 Large Eggs
- ¾ – 1 Cup Milk
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3 Cloves Garlic, pressed
- ½ Cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- ¼ Cup Fresh Italian herbs, finely chopped (oregano, basil, and/or parsley)
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef and pork until well combined
- Add all other ingredients and mix until well combined, but don’t overmix
- Using a cookie dough or ice cream scoop, divide mixture into meatballs, roll in your hands to form a nice ball and place on baking sheet
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, depending on size of meatball, until browned and no pink remains in center
- Remove from oven and serve with favorite pasta sauce, or freeze for later use
Notes
The cooking time will vary depending on meatball size. Cocktail meatballs can take as little as 15 minutes, while the larger ones can take up to 30 minutes.
Nutritional Disclaimer: The provided nutritional information is an estimate and can vary based on ingredient brands and quantities. For precise details, consult a registered dietitian or use a nutrition calculator.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 meatball (based on 24 yield)
- Calories: 70-80
- Sugar: 0
- Sodium: 120-140 mg
- Fat: 5-6 gr
- Saturated Fat: 2-3 gr
- Carbohydrates: 2-3 gr
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 4-5 gr
- Cholesterol: 10-15 mg
44 Comments
Anonymous
June 22, 2020 at 7:05 pmI love these recipes. Not everything has to be complicated. You guys make cooking fun again!
Kathy D
September 20, 2020 at 2:04 pmGood tip on the ratio of beef to pork. You’re right, I mixed equal ratio on meat and they came out too dense! Love the flavor and so easy to bake them.
Lindsey
December 7, 2021 at 4:24 pmI baked mine for 25 minutes and the bottoms burned. I’d say reduce the cooking time for full cookie scooper size meatballs to probably 22 mins. Delicious tasting still, however. Great recipe for when you don’t have enough time for the crockpot!
simplepartyfood
December 15, 2021 at 4:39 pmour advice is to always use a Silpat – it prevents burning!
Star
February 8, 2022 at 1:56 amI made these a couple of weeks ago and froze them. Similar to what I’ve made in the past only never used milk. With the milk, meatballs are not as dense, a welcome surprise. Also, never put cheese in the meat mixture. Very tasty. Used them this weekend in my spaghetti sauce and they were delicious! I think these ingredients may also work for meatloaf or burgers. Definitely my new meatball recipe. Thank you.
simplepartyfood
February 8, 2022 at 10:51 amthat’s AWESOME Star – thanks so much for letting us know!
Megan
February 6, 2023 at 6:13 pmDo you freeze these before or after you bake them?
LouEllen
March 6, 2023 at 8:09 pmWell that makes complete sense but it never crossed my mind. Thanks so much!
Linda Peterson
February 16, 2022 at 7:14 pmThese are delicious! If instead I form the meat mixture into a meatloaf would you change any. Gradient amounts?
Diane
February 26, 2022 at 10:14 amBaking is so much easier and less mess than pan frying! Thanks for the great recipe!
carly
October 27, 2022 at 12:38 pmCan this recipe be doubled?
simplepartyfood
October 30, 2022 at 3:50 pmof course!
j4486inthecity
November 13, 2022 at 8:06 pmI saw these on Pinterest and all the RAVE reviews. They were right!
Elaine
November 13, 2022 at 8:08 pmI tried it! It came out amazing! I modified for heat and cooked in marinara in the crockpot.
Jennifer
November 13, 2022 at 8:08 pmI have made this 3 times now & I love them. I have used the mix to make meatloaf. I don’t like meatballs but these are so good, been using dry herbs & still great. 😁
simplepartyfood
November 13, 2022 at 8:12 pmNothing like converting a non meatballer to a meatballer
Fern
November 13, 2022 at 8:09 pmI made these meatballs today. They were absolutely delicious the family love them.
simplepartyfood
November 13, 2022 at 8:12 pmglad to hear it!
Irene
December 5, 2022 at 10:02 amIf I was to double/triple the recipe would I double/triple every ingredient?
simplepartyfood
January 17, 2023 at 8:52 amyes
Denise
January 13, 2023 at 10:26 pmFirst time I’ve ever made meatballs. These were easy to make and so yummy!
Lise
January 17, 2023 at 8:40 amWas pretty good, easy and fast I loved it!
Cher
January 30, 2023 at 6:28 pmHow much beef broth?
J
March 8, 2023 at 11:32 amI used one lb of each meat since that’s how the pkg came. I totally forgot to put the cheese in 🙈. I took the time to grate it, no store bought pre shredded so that was disappointing but they were still good. Baked for about 25 mins, I managed to get 27 so about half I tossed into a homemade sauce. Easy and good!
casandra
March 8, 2023 at 11:33 amI Made these in Crock-Pot for Superbowl and we’re a big bit. Definitely make again.
todd
March 20, 2023 at 1:39 pmIt was a great tasting meatball the only thing I changed was I used for the pork I used tomatoes basil sausage.
Abbey
December 12, 2023 at 11:26 amWhat fat percent ground beef would you use? 93/7? Or 80/20
Erin
March 25, 2023 at 9:32 pmThese are delicious! Thank you for the recipe!
Mel
April 1, 2023 at 7:56 pmMade these tonight and they came out great! I added feta cheese. Great simple recipe for basic meatballs to be pared with a number of pasta related dishes. I added these to a creamy pesto orzo with spinach and mushrooms. Delicious!
Kay
April 19, 2023 at 8:33 amIf I wanted to use dry herbs instead of fresh, what would measurement amount be?
Kay
April 27, 2023 at 10:25 amI was wondering if you could provide dry ingredient substitutions: for the garlic cloves , how much garlic powder? And for the fresh herbs, how much dried Basil, oregano and parsley? For me, I love fresh herbs but they are costly and can sometimes go to waste. Thanks
Dee
November 13, 2023 at 3:46 pmLook these and added small chopped onion. Great recipe!
Jen
January 16, 2024 at 8:09 pmCan I combine ingredients the night before and store in the refrigerator overnight and shape into meatballs and bake them the next day?
simplepartyfood
March 3, 2024 at 7:14 amabsolutely you can – they’re even better that way!
Candice
March 4, 2024 at 8:48 amThey were delicious.
Judy
March 4, 2024 at 8:48 amI made these tonight and they’re delicious. I found my new meatball recipe
Gretchen
March 4, 2024 at 8:49 amThese are ABSOLUTELY delicious
Amanda
March 4, 2024 at 8:50 amSimple and delicious. Used this recipe twice and love it.
Tawnie
March 4, 2024 at 8:50 amThere meatballs are awesome!! So juicy and flavorful!
Jeanne
March 4, 2024 at 8:51 amGreat recipe. Just made them , delicious.
Scott
March 4, 2024 at 8:51 amExcellent recipe! It’s the only one I make now !
Demetria
March 4, 2024 at 8:52 amMade these they turned out great very moist.