• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Best Beef Recipes logo
  • Home
  • Find A Recipe
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • About Best Beef Recipes
  • Follow Us!

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Italian Beef Recipes

    Meatball Recipe

    Published: Jan 26, 2023 Modified: Jan 26, 2023 by Isabel Laessig

    Share

    Share
    Pin23
    Tweet
    Email

    Best Beef Recipes is an Amazon Associate. We receive compensation for purchases made through affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

    Truly the easiest and best Italian meatball recipe! Serve my homemade Italian meatballs for a quick weeknight dinner, or freeze them for later. Ready in 30 minutes and so tender, they practically melt in your mouth!

    italian meatballs in red sauce in a blue bowl with a metal fork holding half a meatball and bread on the side.
    Jump to:
    • Italian Meatball Recipe
    • Beef Meatball Recipe Ingredients
    • How to Make Meatballs in the Oven
    • Italian Meatballs Recipe Tips
    • Can you prepare Italian Meatballs ahead of time?
    • Storing and Reheating Italian Meatballs
    • Italian Meatball Recipes FAQs
    • Best Meatball Recipes
    • 📌 Pin it for later!
    • 📋 Recipe

    Italian Meatball Recipe

    Is there anything more comforting than a steaming hot plate of an old school Italian meatballs recipe, smothered in tomato sauce served over spaghetti noodles and paired with a slice of garlic bread? I don't think so!

    These flavor-packed Italian-style meatballs are so tender, they practically melt in your mouth. Seasoned to perfection and ready to be served in just 30 minutes, these meatballs are juicy and tender throughout with irresistible flavors that will have you craving more.

    I guarantee these are the best homemade meatballs in the oven - give them a try for your next spaghetti night or meatball sub!

    These meatballs are amazing. They remind me of the meatballs my grandmother used to make. Great easy to follow instructions too.

    Merry on Pinterest
    italian meatballs in red sauce in a blue bowl with a wood spoon and bread on the side.

    Beef Meatball Recipe Ingredients

    • Ground beef
    • Ground pork
    • Italian breadcrumbs
    • Milk
    • White bread
    • Garlic powder
    • Salt
    • Pepper
    • Italian seasoning
    • Parmesan cheese
    italian meatballs ingredients

    How to Make Meatballs in the Oven

    1. Preheat the oven to 400℉. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, Italian breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, pepper, garlic powder, salt, and Italian seasoning. Mix well until fully combined.italian meatball ingredients in a clear bowl
    2. Set meat mixture aside. Place 2 slices of bread onto a plate and pour milk over top. Let the bread soak up all the milk for about 5 minutes. white bread on a white plate with milk pouring over top
    3. After your bread has soaked up most of the milk, gently squeeze the bread until all the extra liquid is released.squeezing white bread
    4. Add soaked bread into the meat mixture and give it a good mix. italian meatball mixture in a clear bowl
    5. Tightly roll the meat mixture into 1-inch balls using your hands. Place rolled meatballs onto a baking sheet, evenly spaced apart so none of them are touching. italian meatballs rolled on a baking sheet
    6. Place in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. Once meatballs are done, remove them from the oven and sprinkle them with sea salt to taste. Enjoy!Italian meatballs baked

    There are countless options of sides to eat with these meatballs baked in the oven, of course pairing them with spaghetti and meatball sauce is a classic!

    Italian Meatballs Recipe Tips

    • Wet your hands: Working with damp hands will prevent the beef mixture from sticking to your fingers.
    • Use a wire rack: Bake the meatballs on a wire rack on a large baking sheet to ensure all the fat drips down during baking.

    Can you prepare Italian Meatballs ahead of time?

    These Italian-style meatballs are perfect for make-ahead dinners and are easy to meal prep as they store well in the fridge or freezer. This recipe can easily be doubled or even tripled to be made in advance!

    In fact, I think they actually taste better when made ahead of time. The flavor intensifies as it sits in the sauce.

    Storing and Reheating Italian Meatballs

    • Storing meatballs: Let your meatballs completely cool. Then, transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3-5 days.
    • Freezing meatballs: Simply cook as instructed, and let them cool completely. Store in an airtight container and place in the freezer for up to 3 months.
    • Reheating frozen meatballs: Thaw meatballs overnight in the fridge and reheat in sauce or place in the oven at 350°F for 8-10 minutes, or until fully heated through. Or place it in the microwave for about 2-3 minutes.

    Italian Meatball Recipes FAQs

    What are Italian meatballs made of?

    This Italian meatball recipe is made with a combination of ground beef and ground pork to make the perfect meatball beef mixture, as well as Italian breadcrumbs, milk, white bread, garlic powder, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese.

    What is the secret to making good meatballs?

    The secret to making great meatballs is to use bread soaked in milk in the meat mixture to keep it moist and to bake the meatballs rather than fry them. Use a mixture of beef and pork for the perfect meat consistency, and plenty of seasonings for flavor.

    How Long to Cook Meatballs in the Oven

    Bake Italian meatballs for 15-20 minutes at 400℉.

    Best Meatball Recipes

    • Italian Wedding Soup
    • Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs
    • Cocktail Meatballs
    • Meatball Seasoning
    • Meatball Sub
    • Swedish Meatballs Recipe
    • Instant Pot Meatballs
    • Air Fryer Meatballs
    • Honey Sriracha Meatballs
    italian meatballs in red sauce in a blue bowl with a wood spoon and bread on the side.

    📌 Pin it for later!

    Did you enjoy this page? Save it on Pinterest for later!

    Share

    Pin

    Did you try this recipe? Leave a comment and a rating below to let us know what you think! We love to hear from you!

    📋 Recipe

    italian meatballs in red sauce in a blue bowl with a wood spoon and bread on the side.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Italian Meatball Recipe

    Learn how to make the best Italian meatball recipe! Serve these homemade Italian meatballs for a quick weeknight dinner, or freeze them for later.
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time15 mins
    Bread Soaking5 mins
    Total Time25 mins
    Course: Appetizer or main
    Cuisine: Italian
    Keyword: beef meatball recipe, italian meatball recipe, italian meatball recipes, meatball recipe
    Servings: 24 meatballs
    Calories: 203kcal
    Author: Isabel Laessig

    Equipment

    • Baking sheet
    • Wire rack
    • Mixing bowl

    Ingredients

    • 2 pounds ground beef 80/20
    • 1 pound ground pork
    • 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
    • 1 cup milk of choice
    • 2 slices white bread
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon pepper
    • 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
    • 1 cup Parmesan cheese
    • Sea salt to taste

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 400℉ degrees. In a large bowl combine ground beef, ground pork, Italian breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, pepper, garlic powder, salt, and Italian seasoning. Mix well.
      2 pounds ground beef, 1 pound ground pork, 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, 1 cup Parmesan cheese, 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
      italian meatball ingredients in a clear bowl
    • Set meat mixture aside. Place 2 slices of bread onto a plate and pour milk over top. Let the bread soak up all the milk, for about 5 minutes.
      2 slices white bread, 1 cup milk
      white bread on a white plate with milk pouring over top
    • After your bread has soaked up most of the milk, gently squeeze the bread until all the extra liquid is released.
      squeezing white bread
    • Add soaked bread into the meat mixture and give it a good mix.
      italian meatball mixture in a clear bowl
    • Tightly roll the meat mixture into 1-inch balls using your hands. Place rolled meatballs onto a baking sheet, evenly spaced apart so none of them are touching.
      italian meatballs rolled on a baking sheet
    • Place in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. Once meatballs are done, remove them from the oven and sprinkle with sea salt to taste. Enjoy!
      Sea salt
      Italian meatballs baked

    Video

    Notes

    • Wet your hands: Working with damp hands will prevent the beef mixture from sticking to your fingers.
    • Use a wire rack: Bake the meatballs on a wire rack on a large baking sheet to ensure all the fat drips down during baking.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1meatball | Calories: 203kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 349mg | Potassium: 190mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 80IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 75mg | Iron: 1mg

    Share

    Share
    Pin23
    Tweet
    Email
    « Pot Roast Recipes
    Beef Bourguignon »

    About Isabel Laessig

    Isabel Laessig, better known as Family Foodie and the founder of the Sunday Supper Movement, is passionate about food and family! She is the author of the Boujee Steak Cookbook, and makes regular television appearances to spread her mission of bringing Sunday Supper back around the family table in every home.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a comment or question - we love to hear from you! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Let's Get Social

    • Family Foodie Facebook
    • Sunday Supper Pinterest
    • Sunday Supper Youtube
    • Family Foodie Instagram
    • Family Foodie Tiktok

    Best Beef Dinner Ideas

    • Chuck Roast in the Oven
    • Our Famous Burger Seasoning
    • Air Fryer Steak
    • Birria Tacos Recipe
    • Smoked Brisket Recipe
    • Boneless Prime Rib Recipe

    Footer

    Our Brands

    Best Beef Recipes | Sunday Supper Movement | Easy Sauce Recipes | Best Side Dishes | Best Pork Bites

    About Us

    • Contact Us
    • About Best Beef Recipes
    • Disclosure & Privacy
    • Sign up for our Newsletter!
    sunday supper movement logo

    Best Beef Recipes is part of the Sunday Supper Media publishing family.

    ↑ back to top

    Copyright ©2019-2023 Best Beef Recipes, All Rights Reserved.