Delicious Oven Baked Meatballs Recipe for a Perfect Meal

Name: Oven Baked Meatballs
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 1 lb ground pork; 1/2 cup breadcrumbs; 1/3 cup milk; 1/2 medium onion (finely chopped ); 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning; 1 teaspoon Montreal Steak Spice; 1 egg; 1/4 cup parsley (finely chopped); 1/3 cup parmesan cheese; 1 teaspoon sea salt (or to taste)

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Oven Baked Meatballs - Juicy on the inside, beautifully browned on the outside, and deliciously seasoned all over! These oven baked meatballs are so easy to make in very little time. Mix the ingredients, roll them, then bake them for 15 minutes then they’re ready to enjoy as an appetizer, with a side of rice, over meatballs, or in a sub! These versatile meatballs are perfect for quick and easy dinner ideas.

When YOU make this Meatballs Recipe please tag us on @munchkintimeblog on Instagram, we would LOVE to see your creation!

Crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, and cooked to perfection, there is nothing like smelling the aroma of freshly made oven baked meatballs!

This recipe for baked meatballs in the oven is super easy. I use a combination of beef and pork for extra moisture and flavor but you can use this recipe with whatever ground meat you like. They’re seasoned with herbs and spices and Parmesan cheese.

Because they’re oven baked, there’s no need to worry about grease splatter or keeping an eye on the stove. So, there's not much to cleanup after, which is great for busy weeknights.

Sometimes when I know I’ll want some for later, I’ll make a big batch and freeze them for quick access to homemade meatballs whenever I want!

Recipe Tips

Swap the ground beef and ground pork for your choice of ground meat. You can use all ground beef, all pork, or keep it light with ground turkey or ground chicken. Both of those are lean, so you’ll want to be sure to keep them moist and be generous with the seasoning.
Using an ice cream scoop helps to ensure all of the meatballs are the same size. This way they all bake evenly and you don’t end up with some overcooked and some underdone.
Add a little spice to your oven baked meatballs by adding some red pepper flakes to the meat mixture.
Grease your hands with a bit of oil or wet them with water as you handle the meatballs so they don’t stick.
DO NOT OVER MIX. Over-mixing is the fastest way to dry dense meatballs!

Ingredients for Baked Meatballs

Ground Beef and Ground Pork: I love the combination of both. It’s flavorful with just enough moisture.
Breadcrumbs: These help to absorb excess moisture from the meat as it cooks, keeping it in the center to prevent it from drying out.
Milk: When combined with the breadcrumbs they soften them up so they have a less obvious texture when you bite into the oven baked meatballs.
Onion: Finely chopped onions give a delicious aromatic flavor, as cooked onions always do.
Seasoning: Garlic Powder, Italian seasoning, Montreal steak seasoning, and salt. I enjoy having homemade seasoning blends on hand for times like this, but any store bought seasoning works too.
Egg: This acts as the binding agent that holds the meatballs together. No one wants crumbly meatballs!
Parsley: Fresh herbs are a great flavor addition to add a little vibrancy to the taste. Save some for garnish as well.
Parmesan cheese: A little salty, briny, cheesiness is always a welcome pairing with Italian meatballs.

How to Bake Meatballs in the Oven

Step 1: Combine all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

Step 2: Use your hands (wear gloves if you want) and mix everything to combine. Be careful not to overmix.

Step 3: Use a small ice cream scoop and scoop out the meat mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. You should have about 48 meatballs. Keep them about 1 inch apart from each other so there’s room between them for the heat to circulate and brown all sides evenly.

Step 4: Bake in a preheated 400F oven for 15-20 minutes or until they are cooked through. Garnish with parsley and enjoy!

FAQs

How long to bake meatballs in the oven?

This will always depend on the size of your meatballs and the temperature of the oven. At 400F, our small meatballs take about 15 minutes to cook. If you use a lower temperature you want to increase the time. The same goes for if you are baking large meatballs.

How do you know when meatballs are done baking?

The best way to tell is by using a meat thermometer. Stick it in the middle and once it reaches an internal temperature of 155F it’s ready! If you’re using ground turkey or ground chicken, the internal temperature will be a bit higher at 165F.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Sure! All you need to do is swap out the regular breadcrumbs for a gluten-free alternative. Try almond flour, oat flour, or an all-purpose gluten-free flour.

Do I need to sear the baked meatballs first?

Sometimes searing the meat first can give the meat a head start on forming a beautiful brown crust on the outside, but since we are baking them at high heat, they’ll get that from the oven.

How to store leftover?

Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Easily reheat them in the microwave or in the oven until warmed through.

Can I freeze meatballs?

Definitely. Once they are completely cooled, place them on a baking sheet and flash freeze them in a single layer. Once they are solid, transfer them to a freezer bag and keep them frozen for up to 3 months. We flash freeze them so they don’t all freeze in a giant lump. This way you can take out and thaw what you need without having to use them all at once.

To reheat from frozen, you can add them to some simmering sauce straight from frozen and allow them to thaw that way. Or keep them overnight in the fridge and use them however you want the next day.

Other Dinner Recipes

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