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.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 16-20 minutes
- Total Time: 26-30 minutes
- Yield: 12 meatballs (serves 4) 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup milk (2%)
- ½ cup crushed crackers or breadcrumbs
- ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup finely minced yellow onion
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon fine salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For Serving and Garnish
- Your favorite pasta sauce
- Cooked pasta or zucchini noodles
- Fresh parsley (optional)
- Additional grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400℉ and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- 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.
- 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.
- Arrange Meatballs: Place the formed meatballs evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet for even cooking.
- Bake: 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.
- Remove from Oven: Take the meatballs out of the oven once done baking and allow them to rest momentarily.
- 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.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve hot over cooked pasta or zucchini noodles.
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, perfect for meal prep or quick reheat meals.
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Notes
- Use lean ground beef for a healthier option and to reduce excess fat during baking.
- Crackers or breadcrumbs help bind the meatballs and keep them tender.
- Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure meatballs are safely cooked to 165℉.
- Baking instead of frying reduces fat content and simplifies cleanup.
- Meatballs can be served with any pasta sauce and your choice of noodles including zucchini noodles for a low-carb option.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently in the sauce or microwave.
Keywords: baked meatballs, Italian meatballs, healthy meatballs, easy dinner, Italian recipe, lean ground beef, baked dinner
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