Description
These Simple Meatballs are juicy, flavorful, and easy to prepare using pantry staples. Perfect for pasta dishes, sandwiches, appetizers, or meal prep, they offer a classic Italian-inspired taste with minimum fuss and maximum satisfaction.
Ingredients
Meatball Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the meatballs evenly and thoroughly.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and parsley. Stir gently until just combined to avoid tough meatballs.
- Form Meatballs: Roll the meat mixture into 16 to 18 evenly sized meatballs to ensure uniform cooking.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the formed meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them apart to allow heat circulation.
- Bake: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes or until they are cooked through and beautifully browned on the outside.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve hot with your favorite sauce or side dish for a classic meal experience.
Notes
- Avoid overmixing the meat mixture to keep the meatballs tender and juicy.
- Meatballs can be frozen either before baking or after cooking for convenient meal prep.
- For a lighter alternative, substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
