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Home » Recipes » Italian Recipes

Best Baked Italian Meatballs

Published: Mar 21, 2023 by Chef Dennis Littley

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My Baked Italian Meatball Recipe makes the best homemade meatballs that are easy to make and oh-so-delicious with marinara sauce over pasta or on a hoagie roll. 

baked meatballs on a white plate.
Table of Contents:
  • Audio Player
  • Ingredients to make Baked Italian Meatballs
  • How to make Baked Italian Meatballs
  • Recipe FAQ’s
  • More Recipes You’ll Love!
  • Recipe: Classic Baked Italian Meatballs

Audio Player



 

When it comes to Italian-American cuisine, meatballs are a staple dish that has been enjoyed for generations. However, the secret to making truly delicious Italian meatballs lies in the preparation and ingredients.

I’ve made a lot of meatballs during my career as a chef, and this is by far the best meatball recipe I’ve ever made. The perfect blend of seasonings and other ingredients makes my delicious Baked Italian Meatballs crispy on the outside yet moist, tender, and juicy on the inside.

spaghetti and meatballs in a white bowl with a sprig of Italian Parsley and grated cheese

For the perfect weeknight dinner or your next pasta night, use my homemade marinara recipe or your favorite pasta sauce to make spaghetti and meatballs for dinner. Your family will be glad you did!

Ingredients to make Baked Italian Meatballs

Ingredients to make recipe

Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make the Best Italian Meatballs. In Chef Speak, this is called the “Mise en Place,” which translates to “Everything in its Place.”

Not only does setting up your ingredients ahead of time speed up the cooking process, it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.

Italian meatballs can be customized to your taste preference. If you prefer a spicier meatball, add red pepper flakes or hot sauce to the mixture. If you prefer a milder flavor, cut back on the seasonings.

You can make leave out the pork and make the meatballs with all beef if you prefer. You can also use ground turkey or ground chicken to make this recipe.

How to make Baked Italian Meatballs

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

collage showing how to begin making recipe.
  • Add the bread crumbs to a small bowl and add the milk.
  • Let the breadcrumbs soak for 20 minutes.
  • Add olive oil to a skillet over medium heat. Then add the chopped onion and cook for 6-8 minutes until the onions have softened. Stir as needed so the onions don’t burn.
  • Add the chopped garlic and continue to cook for 1-2 minutes.

*Use gluten-free bread crumbs to keep the meatballs gluten-free.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

mixed beef and pork in glass bowl.

Add the lean ground beef and pork to a large bowl and mix until blended together.

collage showing how to make recipe.
  • Line a sheet pan or baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the ground meat mixture out on the baking sheet.
  • Add the cooked onions and garlic, bread crumb mixture, parmesan cheese (or Romano cheese), fresh parsley, salt, and black pepper.
  • Press the seasonings and other ingredients into the meat.
  • Pour the lightly beaten eggs over the mixture.

Feel free to add your favorite Italian seasoning to the mixture. You can also use onion powder and garlic powder instead of fresh onions and garlic.

collage showing how finish making recipe.
  • Lifting the parchment paper by the sides, fold the meat over on top of itself.
  • Place the mixture back into the large bowl and finish mixing the ingredients together. Be careful not to over-mix, or the meatballs will be tough.

I use this method of spreading out the meat to help distribute the seasonings and other ingredients without over-mixing. You can, of course, just mix everything together in a large bowl.

collage of raw and baked meatballs
  • Form the meatball mixture into balls about 1 ½ inches in diameter. Place the raw, formed meatballs in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
  • Place the baking sheet on the center rack of the preheated oven and bake meatballs for 15-20 minutes or until an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. has been reached.
baked meatballs on a white plate.

My baked meatballs are so flavorful that I know they’re going to become a family favorite.

Baked Italian meatballs can be served on their own as a main dish. They can be added to pasta dishes and make amazing meatball subs. Or you can make mini-meatballs and serve them as an appetizer with tomato sauce or demi-glace.

Recipe FAQ’s

Do I have to use pork to make Italian Meatballs?

No, you don’t. You can use all beef or any combination of beef, veal, and pork to make your meatballs. You can also make this recipe using ground chicken or ground turkey.

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    Authentic Italian Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe

baked meatballs on a white plate.

Classic Baked Italian Meatballs

Chef Dennis Littley
My Baked Italian Meatball Recipe makes the best homemade meatballs that are easy to make and oh-so-delicious with marinara sauce over pasta or on a hoagie roll. 
5 from 41 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Listen to the Post
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 45 minutes mins
Course Entree, sandwich, Side Dish
Cuisine Italian, Italian – American
Servings 16
Calories 183 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • ½ cup plain bread crumbs
  • ½ cup milk
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup onion fine diced
  • 3 cloves garlic finely minced
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 pound ground pork
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoon Romano cheese or parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon Italian parsley finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon basil fresh- finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon oregano dried
  • 1 ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
  • Add the bread crumbs to a small bowl and add the milk. Let the breadcrumbs soak for 20 minutes.
  • Add olive oil to a skillet over medium heat.
  • Add the chopped onion and cook for 6-8 minutes until the onions have softened. Stir as needed so the onions don't burn.
  • Add the chopped garlic and continue to cook for 1-2 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside until needed.
  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F
  • Add the ground beef and pork to a large bowl and mix until blended together.
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the ground meat mixture out on the baking sheet.
  • Add the cooked onions and garlic, bread crumb mixture, Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt, and black pepper.
  • Press the seasonings and other ingredients into the meat.
  • Pour the lightly beaten eggs over the mixture.
  • Lifting the parchment paper by the sides, fold the meat over on top of itself.
  • Place the mixture back into the large bowl and finish mixing the ingredients together. Be careful not to over-mix, or the meatballs will be tough.
    *I use this method of spreading out the meat to help distribute the seasonings and other ingredients without over-mixing. You can, of course, just mix everything together in a large bowl.
  • Form the mixture into balls about 1 ½ inches in diameter. Place the raw, formed meatballs in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
  • Place the baking sheet on the center rack of the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until an internal temperature of 165 degrees has been reached.

Nutrition

Calories: 183kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 11gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 273mgPotassium: 200mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 81IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askchefdennis or tag #askchefdennis!

Comments

    5 from 41 votes (33 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Diane Vezina says

    April 13, 2024 at 2:30 pm

    5 stars
    Always looking for a better way for meatballs…love the idea of spreading spices etc.on top to avoid overmixing…you always have great advice. Thanks so much…Diane

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      April 14, 2024 at 7:28 am

      I’m happy to hear you find this method helpful Diane. It took me quite awhile before I realized how much better this method was.

      Reply
  2. Shery Sullivan says

    January 11, 2024 at 7:24 pm

    5 stars
    I appreciate this meatball recipe. Always looking for tasty meatball.

    Reply
  3. Jean says

    May 27, 2023 at 8:42 am

    5 stars
    What a lovely flavor combo this had. Easy to make and great instructions. Thanks.

    Reply
  4. Jerika says

    May 25, 2023 at 9:18 am

    I would pair this Baked Italian Meatball Recipe with my favorite pasta.:) These meatballs are so flavorful, love it!

    Reply
  5. Elizabeth says

    May 24, 2023 at 6:29 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe was so straightforward and I love how easy they were to make. A great weeknight meal!

    Reply
  6. Lindsay Howerton-Hastings says

    May 24, 2023 at 6:01 pm

    5 stars
    I made a double batch and froze half, they were perfect for a quick kid dinner a week later from the freezer. SO yummy!

    Reply
  7. Rob says

    May 24, 2023 at 4:18 pm

    5 stars
    I have made these meatballs a couple of times now just with beef and they were delicious both times. Your instructions were perfectly detailed and helpful. These meatballs will go on our regular rotation!

    Reply
  8. Adawia Ally says

    April 19, 2023 at 8:03 am

    Thank you your foods its so woow and amazing I will practise more

    Reply
  9. Karen says

    April 08, 2023 at 10:26 am

    5 stars
    These meatballs turned out perfect! Great tip on putting the meat mixture on parchment paper to add the seasonings. It definitely helps with seasoning distribution and overmixing. Thanks for a winner, Chef Dennis!

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      April 08, 2023 at 1:40 pm

      Thanks, Karen, I’m glad you liked them. And the parchment was an ah-ha moment that finally occurred to me.

      Reply
  10. Lisa says

    March 25, 2023 at 12:25 pm

    5 stars
    I made these last night and everyone loved them! Best meatballs ever!

    Reply


My name is Chef Dennis Littley, creator and owner of Ask Chef Dennis Productions. As a classically trained chef with 40+ years of experience in the kitchen, I share my time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen.

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