Description
This classic Baked Italian Meatballs recipe features tender, flavorful meatballs made with lean ground beef, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasonings. Baked to perfection and optionally simmered in your favorite pasta sauce, they make a delicious and easy meal served over pasta or zucchini noodles.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup 2% milk
- 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
Optional Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Additional grated Parmesan cheese
For Serving
- Favorite pasta sauce
- Cooked pasta or zucchini noodles
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400℉ and line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper. Set aside for easy cleanup.
- Mix Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the lean ground beef, egg, 2% milk, crushed crackers or breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, minced onion, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Form Meatballs: Using your hands or a cookie scoop, form the mixture into 12 golf-ball-sized meatballs and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake Meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165℉ to ensure they are fully cooked.
- Heat Sauce (Optional): While the meatballs are baking, heat your favorite pasta sauce in a skillet over medium heat. Once the meatballs are done, transfer them to the skillet and gently toss to coat with sauce. Heat through evenly.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve the meatballs over cooked pasta or zucchini noodles for a complete meal.
- Store Leftovers: Store any leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to enjoy later.
Notes
- These meatballs are perfect for meal prep and can be frozen for longer storage.
- Feel free to substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Use gluten-free crackers or breadcrumbs to make this recipe gluten free.
- For added flavor, try mixing in fresh herbs like basil or oregano.
- Make sure to check meatballs' internal temperature with a meat thermometer for food safety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 meatballs
- Calories: 239 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 594 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
