Homemade meatballs are so much tastier than anything you’ll pick up at the supermarket. They’re a simple comfort food perfect for everything from quick pasta dishes and stews to hearty sandwiches and appetizers. This easy baked meatball recipe is an inexpensive 30-minute meal that is a fantastic option if you’re looking for quick meal prep ideas.
How to Make Baked Meatballs
Our Test Kitchen created this quick and easy meatball recipe that’s simple enough to make on a weeknight.
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1-1/3 cups soft bread crumbs
- 2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 pounds ground beef
Directions
Step 1: Make the meatball mixture
Crumble the ground beef into a large bowl, and add the eggs, onion, garlic, water, bread crumbs, Parmesan and seasonings on top.
The eggs and bread crumbs are essential for binding the meat. Thanks to their moisture content, eggs help keep your meatballs lovely and tender.
Test Kitchen Tip: This recipe calls for soft bread crumbs—not Panko (bigger, crispier bread crumbs), dry or seasoned bread crumbs (sometimes called Italian bread crumbs). Luckily, you can make your own soft bread crumbs at home. Just put a slice or two of bread in a food processor and voila! Fresh, soft breadcrumbs. 1 slice of bread typically yields about 1 cup.
Step 2: Combine and shape
Use your hands to combine everything but do not overwork the beef. If you overdo it, you run the risk of tough meatballs. Instead, gently work the mix until it’s just combined.
Once you’re happy with the beef mixture, lightly shape the meatballs to be about 1 to 1-1/2 inches. You can make larger meatballs, if you choose. But no matter whether you decide to go big or small, you’ll want to keep them all roughly the same size. Otherwise, they’ll cook unevenly.
Test Kitchen Tip: Use a cookie scoop to guarantee evenly sized meatballs.
Step 3: Put the meatballs in the oven
Grease a rack and place it in a shallow baking tray. I pour a little olive oil onto a paper towel and rub the rack down, but a nonstick cooking spray would work here. Arrange the meatballs, and then put them in the oven. Bake at 375°F for about 15 to 18 minutes, or until your instant-read thermometer says they’re cooked through (160-165°).
Test Kitchen Tip: You also have the option of browning the meatballs before you bake them, if you want to add a little bit of flavor and of course, some color. However, this is completely optional and not necessary if you’re on a tight schedule.
Homemade Baked Meatballs Tips
Can you use other meats instead of ground beef in this baked meatball recipe?
Yes—don’t limit yourself to beef! You can swap it for pork, chicken, lamb, turkey or game meat to put a new spin on this tried-and-true classic. If you’re hankering for ultra-tender meatballs, fatty meats are the way to go. If lean meats like chicken or turkey are on the menu, consider adding a splash of milk to the egg mix. This will moisten the breadcrumbs and help prevent the meatballs from getting tough.
How can you make baked meatballs your own?
While this recipe calls for Italian seasoning, a sprinkling of fresh chopped herbs like rosemary, thyme and basil pack some serious flavor. Mint would be gorgeous with lamb, while cilantro gives pork and chicken meatballs a zesty flair.
If you’re out of eggs or would rather not use them in your baked meatballs, you’ve got options. You can substitute a few tablespoons of applesauce per egg, or you can prep a flaxseed mixture instead. To do this, combine 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed with 6 tablespoons of water, and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes, until it turns into a thick gel.
How do you store baked meatballs?
You can freeze your meatballs to enjoy later if you like. After they’re out of the oven, let them cool down completely before freezing them. Or prep the meatballs and put them in an airtight container in the fridge to cook later in the week—just be sure to cook them within 2 to 3 days.
Do you need to cover the meatballs with tin foil in the oven?
According to Peggy Woodward, Taste of Home Senior Food Editor, these baked meatballs cook fast enough in the oven that they don’t need to be covered. On the contrary, they’d have better flavor and color if you don’t!
What can you serve with baked meatballs?
Of course, baked meatballs go perfectly with a heaping plate of spaghetti! You also can’t go wrong with putting them in a meatball sub sandwich or as a topping on a hearty meatball pizza. Or, make them ahead and freeze them so you can make meatball casserole on a moment’s notice.
Baked meatballs are also a great homemade main course when you pair them with garlic bread and roasted vegetables or a side salad.
Now that you’ve mastered the art of the perfect meatball, here are some of our best Italian meatball recipes and meatball recipes from around the world to try out.
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Treat yourself to homemade meatballs, already simmering in sauce, at the end of a busy day. —Suzanne Wagg, Madison, Maine
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We love lasagna, but it takes too long on weeknights. My solution: meatball taquitos. My kids get the flavors they want, and I get a meal on the table in a hurry. —Lauren Wyler, Dripping Springs, Texas
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I like to dunk these appetizer meatballs in blue cheese or ranch salad dressing. If I make them for a meal, I often skip the dressing and serve with blue cheese polenta on the side. —Amber Massey, Argyle, Texas
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My family enjoys this delicious recipe—it's like a spicy meatball stew with dumplings!—Sarah Yoder, Middlebury, Indiana
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I developed this one-skillet spaghetti and meatball dish to cut down on cooking time on busy nights. The beans, artichokes and tomatoes bump up the nutrition factor, while the lemon and parsley make it pop with brightness. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
Orange-Glazed Meatballs
I love the sweet orange marmalade paired with the zip of a jalapeno in this sweet-sour glaze. —Bonnie Stallings, Martinsburg, West Virginia
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My kids are picky eaters, but teriyaki and hoisin sauces work wonders with them. They love the meatballs, and I swap the noodles for whole grain pasta. —Kelly Shippey, Orange, California
Peppered Meatballs
Plenty of ground pepper gives these saucy meatballs their irresistible zest. They're so hearty, I sometimes serve them over noodles as a main course. —Darla Schroeder, Stanley, North Dakota
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These little sliders deliver big Buffalo chicken flavor without the messiness of wings. The spicy-sweet meatballs are a hit on game day with kids and adults alike. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
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Chimichurri is a tangy herb sauce that comes from South America that's often served with steak. If you've never had it with meatballs, it's time to give it a try! —Amy Chase, Vanderhoof, British Columbia
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This is the easiest soup you will ever make—believe me! I always keep the ingredients on hand, so if I'm feeling under the weather or just plain busy I can throw together this comforting soup in a flash. —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas
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My mother made these hearty meatballs when we were growing up, and now my kids love them, too. My daughter likes to help shake the meatballs in flour. —Karin Ness, Big Lake, Minnesota
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For a seniors potluck at church, I wanted to create a recipe that would incorporate a meat dish and side dish in one. This casserole proved to be a crowd-pleaser, and many people asked for the recipe. —Joann Fritzler, Belen, New Mexico
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This is a simple weeknight recipe my grandma passed along to me. I grew up on a farm where my father was a beef producer, so we always had ground beef in the freezer. I made these meatballs for our family and for kids while I was babysitting, and they were always a hit. Leftovers reheat well the next day. —Karen Davis, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Meatball Cabbage Rolls
My mother often had these cabbage rolls simmering in her slow cooker when my family and I arrived at her house for weekend visits. The mouthwatering meatballs tucked inside made these stand out from any other cabbage rolls I've tried. —Betty Buckmaster, Muskogee, Oklahoma
German Meatballs
This is one of our favorite main dishes. Because we raise our own pork and beef, the meat we use is always freshly ground. For variety, these meatballs can be cooked with a sweet cream gravy or steamed with tomatoes. But we prefer them with homemade sauerkraut. —Iona Redemer, Calumet, Oklahoma
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With colorful vegetables and nicely seasoned meatballs, this hearty dinner offers a lot of flavor for not a lot of money. —Donna Smith, Victor, New York
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This recipe came from my home ec teacher in high school. I enjoy making it because you can throw it in the oven and still have time to do other things.—Yvonne Nave, Lyons, Kansas
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As either a hearty sandwich or a filling lunch or dinner, this sub will rise to the top of your list of favorites. —Deana Paul, San Dimas, California
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This wonderful appetizer is very easy to prepare and also very tasty. —Jan Kasinger, Graham, Washington
Swedish Meatballs
Mom fixed this Swedish meatball recipe for all sorts of family dinners, potluck suppers and PTA meetings when I was growing up. The scent of browning meat is intoxicating. Add to that the sweet smell of onions caramelizing, and everyone’s mouth starts watering. —Marybeth Mank, Mesquite, Texas
Pressure-Cooker Curried Chicken Meatball Wraps
My strategy to get picky kids to eat healthy: Let everyone assemble their dinner at the table. We love these easy meatball wraps topped with crunchy veggies and peanuts, sweet raisins and a creamy dollop of yogurt. —Jennifer Beckman, Falls Church, Virginia
Festive Turkey Meatballs
Turkey gives a different twist to these slightly sweet and spicy meatballs. For the holidays, I serve them on a tray lined with parsley and garnished with red pepper or pimientos. —Audrey Thibodeau, Gilbert, Arizona
Three-Cheese Meatball Mostaccioli
When my husband travels for work, I make a special dinner for my kids to keep their minds off missing Daddy. This tasty mostaccioli is meatball magic. —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan
Slow-Cooker Spaghetti & Meatballs
I’ve been cooking for 50 years, and this dish is still one that guests request frequently. It is my No. 1 standby recipe and also makes amazing meatball sandwiches. The sauce works for any type of pasta. —Jane Whittaker, Pensacola, Florida
Italian Meatball Subs
This is one of those recipes you always come back to. A flavorful tomato sauce and mildly spiced meatballs make a hearty sandwich filling, or they can be served over pasta. I broil the meatballs first to quickly brown them. —Jean Glacken, Elkton, Maryland
Appetizer Meatballs
This recipe is easy, and the meatballs can be made well ahead of time and frozen until needed. I think what makes them taste so good is the sauce. —Nathalie Guest, Caledon, Ontario
Meatball Pizza
I always keep meatballs and pizza crusts in the freezer to make this specialty on the spur of the moment. Add a tossed salad and you have a delicious dinner. —Mary Humeniuk-Smith, Perry Hall, Maryland
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Throughout Vietnam there are many kinds of soups, “canh,” served all year long. I particularly love enjoying this warm, flavorful bowl of Vietnamese chicken soup on laid-back weekends, but it's also great packed in a Thermos for lunch. It's the perfect bok choy soup, too! —Brenda Watts, Gaffney, South Carolina
Meatball Submarine Casserole
We were hosting a bunch of friends, and after a comedy of errors, I had to come up with a plan B for dinner. I realized that much-loved meatball subs are even better as a hearty casserole—so delicious! —Rick Friedman, Palm Springs, California
Great-Grandma's Italian Meatballs
My great-grandmother started this easy meatball recipe with our family. We use ground beef and turkey for these meatballs, and the flavor’s so good, you won’t miss the extra calories. —Audrey Colantino, Winchester, Massachusetts
Hoisin Meatball Lettuce Wraps
I make these tangy-sweet appetizers every year during the holidays, and it doesn't take long for them to disappear.—Elaine Sweet, Dallas, Texas
One-Pot Unstuffed Cabbage
Here is one of my favorite ways to cook and enjoy cabbage. It has all the good flavor of regular cabbage rolls, but it's a lot less bother to make. In fact, it's a one-pot meal! —Mrs. Bernard Snow, Lewiston, Michigan
Spaghetti Meatball Supper
It was such a joy to come home and find my mom making spaghetti and meatballs for dinner. This recipe has always been dear to my heart. —Debbie Heggie, Laramie, Wyoming
Hawaiian Meatballs
Talk about one easy dish that creates an amazing sweet and sour sauce! You can serve over rice for more of a dinner-like option, but I also like to offer them as an appetizer simply served with toothpicks. —Julie Schiefer, Nappanee, Indiana
Contest-Winning Bavarian Meatball Hoagies
When my husband's not manning the grill, I count on my slow cooker. These mouthwatering meatballs are just one reason why. They’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser as an appetizer, or spooned over crusty rolls and topped with cheese for irresistible sandwiches. —Peggy Rios, Mechanicsville, Virginia
Cranberry Meatballs
Lots of people have asked me for this recipe, but I knew I had a real winner when my grandmother asked me for it! —Tammy Neubauer, Ida Grove, Iowa
Chicken Florentine Meatballs
Served over squash and a chunky, mushroom-tomato sauce, these tender meatballs are tops when it comes to great flavor. —Diane Nemitz, Ludington, Michigan
Mediterranean Meatball Sandwiches
I grow onions, garlic and herbs, so that’s what I use in these saucy sandwiches. Make patties or form the ground beef into meatballs instead. —Alysha Braun, St. Catharines, Ontario
Meatball Tortellini
I combined some favorite staples from our freezer and pantry to come up with this easy dish. It has few ingredients and little preparation. —Tracie Bergeron, Chauvin, Louisiana
Slow-Cooked Meatball Stew
I came up with this hearty meal-in-one as another way to use frozen meatballs. It's quick to put together in the morning and ready when my husband gets home in the evening. —Iris Schultz, Miamisburg, Ohio
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This simple meatball recipe relies on time-saving ingredients like frozen meatballs and barbecue sauce. It's the perfect last-minute appetizer! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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One evening, we had unexpected company. Since I had the ingredients on hand, I made this spaghetti and meatballs recipe. Everyone raved! This classic recipe makes a big batch. —Mary Lou Koskella, Prescott, Arizona
Slow-Cooker Meatball Sandwiches
Our approach to meatball sandwiches is a simple one: Cook the meatballs low and slow, load them into hoagie buns, and top them with provolone and pepperoncini. —Stacie Nicholls, Spring Creek, Nevada
Dressed-Up Meatballs
Frozen meatballs and a jar of sweet-and-sour sauce make this microwave meal a last-minute lifesaver when racing against the clock. The flavorful sauce is dressed up with a hint of garlic and nicely coats the colorful mixture of meatballs, carrots, green pepper and onion. —Ivy Eresmas, Dade City, Florida
Easy Asian Glazed Meatballs
As a writer and busy mom of three boys, I need tasty meals on the quick. We serve these glazed meatballs over a steaming bed of rice. —Amy Dong, Woodbury, MinnesotaThe post How to Make Baked Meatballs appeared first on Taste of Home.
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