Description
Experience tender, melt-in-your-mouth Italian meatballs that are perfect for serving with pasta, marinara, or your favorite dipping sauce. This recipe guarantees juicy, flavorful meatballs with crispy edges, baked to perfection for a wholesome and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs1/4 cup parmesan cheese (preferably Parmigiano-Reggiano)
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp fresh parsley or 1 tsp dried parsley
Wet Ingredients
2/3 cup milk1 large egg
1/4 medium onion, finely diced or grated
2 cloves garlic, minced
Meat
1 lb ground beef (or your choice of meat)Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a baking mat to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Prepare Breadcrumb Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine Italian bread crumbs with milk. Stir well and let sit for at least 5 minutes until the bread crumbs absorb the milk, creating a moist mixture.
- Add Other Ingredients: To the breadcrumb mixture, add ground beef, diced onion, minced garlic, beaten egg, salt, black pepper, parmesan cheese, and parsley. Mix everything with your hands until just combined, being careful not to overmix to keep the meatballs tender.
- Form Meatballs: Using a cookie scoop or ice cream scoop, portion the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Wet your hands with water to prevent sticking, then roll each portion into 2-inch diameter balls.
- Bake: Place the meatballs in the oven and bake for about 18-20 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Remove from oven and drain any excess fat. Serve with your favorite sauce and enjoy!
Notes
- This recipe results in ultra-tender, melt-in-the-mouth meatballs.
- For firmer meatballs, reduce breadcrumbs to 1/3 cup and milk to 1/2 cup, and slightly decrease salt.
- To cook in an air fryer: place meatballs in a single layer in the basket, cook for 10-12 minutes at 400°F (200°C) until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- To freeze, cook the meatballs fully, let them cool, then store airtight for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (177°C) for 8-10 mins or in the air fryer at 350°F (177°C) for 3-5 mins.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 meatball (roughly 2 oz)
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
