Simple Meatball Recipe – Easy, Tender Baked Beef Meatballs
These simple baked beef meatballs combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, Parmesan, garlic, and Italian seasoning for a tender, savory result. Serve them with spaghetti, marinara sauce, rice, or your favorite sides.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef preferably 80/20
- 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine the breadcrumbs and milk in a large mixing bowl. Let stand for 2–3 minutes so the breadcrumbs absorb the milk.
- Add the egg, Parmesan, minced garlic, chopped parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix until combined.
- Add the ground beef and gently mix until the ingredients are evenly distributed. Avoid overmixing or compacting the meat.
- Divide the mixture into approximately 20 equal portions, about 1 1/2 inches wide.
- Gently roll each portion between your palms to form a meatball.
- Arrange the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between them.
- Bake at 400°F for 18–22 minutes, until browned and cooked through.
- Check the center of a meatball with an instant-read thermometer to confirm that the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Let the meatballs rest for 5 minutes before serving with spaghetti, marinara sauce, rice, or your favorite sides.
Notes
- Moisten the breadcrumbs before adding the beef to help keep the meatballs tender.
- Avoid overmixing the beef mixture, which can make the meatballs dense.
- Keep the meatballs similar in size to help them cook evenly.
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and use within 3–4 days.
- Reheat leftovers to 165°F.
- Freeze cooked, cooled meatballs in a freezer-safe container. For best quality, use within 2–3 months.
- Nutrition is an estimate and varies with the beef's fat content, ingredient brands, and portion sizes.