Easy everyday baked meatballs are a classic dish baked to perfection. These baked meatballs are a versatile dish! Dress them up Serve these meatballs over spaghetti, on sub rolls or as an appetizer!
In need of more comfort food? Try this Sweet and Spicy Venison Chili for a simple and cozy dinner or this Red Wine Beef Stew for a delicious and classic winter meal!
These Easy, Everyday Baked Meatballs are a perfect meal to prepare ahead of time. You can use the baked meatballs to make into a few different dishes such as classic spaghetti and meatballs or meatballs subs. Another option is to make them, eat some and freeze the rest for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. This is a family recipe that I have slightly tweaked to adjust for taste and ingredients that I have on hand in my house.
Meatball Details
Level of Difficulty: Easy! All these meatballs take is a little mixing and baking. From there, you can decide how you want to serve them.
Time: These baked meatballs take about 10 minutes to prep and 25 minutes to bake. This recipe makes enough for 2 sheet pans of meatballs (baked separately). This means your kitchen will be occupied for about an hour with only 10 minutes of active working time.
Flavor: Italian! The herbs (parsley, oregano and basil) give these meatballs a strong Italian flavor. However, the meatballs will absorb the flavor of the sauce that you use.
Easy Everyday Meatball Ingredients
While the ingredient list may seem long, these are pantry staples:
- Panko Breadcrumbs: you could substitute regular breadcrumbs.
- Parmesan Cheese: I prefer to use a cheese block and grate the cheese. Use grated parmesan cheese from a jar if you do not have a block.
- Whole Milk: Substitute in a different milk but use the highest fat content milk you have.
- Beef Broth: I would not substitute the broth.
- Dried Parsley: Use freshly chopped parsley if possible!
- Eggs
- Garlic Cloves: Dried garlic or minced garlic could work in a pinch.
- Oregano: Dried or freshly chopped oregano will work.
- Salt
- Pepper
- Dried Basil: Freshly chopped basil is delicious!
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Nutmeg
- Ground Chuck: Use a mix of ground beef, pork, veal or venison.
Easy Everyday Meatball Supplies
- Rimmed baking sheets- I suggest using the biggest cookie sheets that you have. You want the meatballs to have space between the,.
- Large mixing bowl- Once again, use the biggest bowl you have especially if you double this recipe.
- Cookie scoop- This is the key to making a perfectly round meatball. Here is the cookie scoop that I use!
- Whisk
- Wooden spoon
- Your hands! This is {hands down} the best way to mix these meatballs!
Let's get to cookin'!
- Start by getting the oven hot. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees.
- To a large bowl, add parmesan cheese, whole milk, ½ cup beef broth (reserve remaining broth for later), parsley, minced garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, basil, crushed red pepper, nutmeg and beaten eggs. Using a whisk, stir the ingredients until combined.
- Now, add in the ground meat. Using a wooden spoon, break the meat up and combine with other ingredients. Once the meat is broken, use your clean hands to combine the meat with the other ingredients. I like to think of it as massaging the meat. This is the best way to distribute the spices throughout all of the meatballs. Mix meatballs by hand for 2-3 minutes.
- After you wash your hands, grab a cookie scoop and a large rimmed baking sheet. Scoop out meatballs leaving about an inch and a half between each meatball. Pour the remaining beef broth onto the rimmed baking sheet. The beef broth should spread to touch each meatball. The broth will ensure that your meatballs stay super moist and do not dry out.
- Bake the meatballs for 25 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool on the pan.
FAQ
How do I freeze these meatballs? Once meatballs are cool enough to handle, transfer them to a clean baking sheet. Place the entire baking sheet in the freezer for about 20 minutes. This allows the meatballs to firm up. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and transfer meatballs to a large freezer bag. Lay freezer bag down flat in freezer. Once ready to serve, remove from freezer a few hours before serving. Allow meatballs to thaw and mix with sauce.
What is the benefit of baking meatballs? Baking the meatballs will save calories versus cooking them on the stove in oil. It also saves you hands on time in the kitchen.
Help! I don't want my meatballs to dry out while in the oven! Your meatballs will not dry out in the oven if you pour beef broth onto the baking sheet. Make sure that the beef broth is touching all the meatballs.
How should I serve these meatballs? Serve these meatballs with spaghetti, on meatball subs or in the crockpot as an appetizer. You can also freeze these baked meatballs for a quick and simple weeknight dinner.
If you make these Easy, Everyday Meatballs, leave a comment and let me know how they turn out! I love your feedback. And please tag @delmarvliciousdishes! I love to see your creations!
Easy Everyday Baked Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 cup Panko Bread Crumbs
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese
- ½ cup Whole Milk
- 2 ½ cup Beef Broth- Divided
- ¼ cup Dried Parsley
- 2 Eggs- Beaten
- 2 Garlic Cloves- Minced
- 1 tablespoon Oregano - Chopped
- 1 tablespoon Kosher Salt
- 1 tablespoon Pepper
- 2 teaspoon Dried Basil
- ½ teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper
- 1 pinch Nutmeg
- 2 lb Ground Chuck
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450.
- To a large bowl, add panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, whole milk, ½ cup beef broth, dried parsley, eggs, oregano, garlic, salt, pepper, dried basil, crushed red pepper and nutmeg. Mix thoroughly.
- Add ground chuck to the bowl. Use a large spoon to break meat apart.
- Using your hands, mix meat together with wet ingredients. Mix thoroughly.
- Using a cookie scoop (or tablespoon), put meatballs on a large cookie tray.
- Add one cup of beef broth to the cookie tray. Broth should cover the bottom of the meatballs.
- Bake meatballs for 25 minutes. Let cool before serving.
Barb Langrall says
I’ve made lots of meatballs in my life, but the beef broth on the baking sheet , definitely elevates the moisture content and flavor. A crowd pleaser! I followed directions as written. Freezing works well.
delmarvaliciousdishes says
Awesome! The beef broth definitely keeps them moist!