Description: This Easy Meatball Recipe is perfect for busy nights when you want a comforting, homemade dinner without a lot of hassle. Made with simple ingredients like ground beef, breadcrumbs, and seasonings, these meatballs are juicy, flavorful, and so easy to prepare. Whether you serve them with spaghetti, in a sub sandwich, or on their own with a dipping sauce, these meatballs will be a hit at the dinner table. Best of all, they’re freezer-friendly, making them a great meal prep option for later!
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey for a lighter option)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (regular or panko)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (or 1 tablespoon dried parsley)
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup milk (for extra moist meatballs)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for frying or baking)
- Optional: marinara sauce or dipping sauce of your choice
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven (if baking): Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, egg, garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Add the milk and mix everything together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as that can make the meatballs tough.
- Shape the Meatballs: Using your hands or a spoon, scoop out about 1 to 1.5 tablespoons of the meat mixture and roll it into a ball. Repeat until all the mixture is used up.
- Cooking Options:
- Baking: Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and browned on the outside.
- Pan-Frying: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs, working in batches if necessary. Fry the meatballs for about 5-7 minutes, turning them occasionally until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve: Serve the meatballs with your favorite marinara sauce, pasta, or on a sub roll with melted cheese for a meatball sub. Enjoy!
Tips & Tricks:
- For Juicy Meatballs: Make sure to add milk to the meatball mixture to keep them moist. You can also use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the meatball mixture can result in tough meatballs. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Customize Your Meatballs: Add some extra flavor by mixing in other seasonings like red pepper flakes for a little heat, or using different herbs like thyme or rosemary.
- Freezer-Friendly: These meatballs freeze well. To freeze, place them on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready to eat, bake from frozen or reheat in sauce.
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the meatballs ahead of time, refrigerate them, and cook them the next day for an even faster dinner.
Nutrition Information (per serving):
Note: Nutrition info is approximate and can vary depending on specific ingredients and portion sizes used.
- Calories: 240
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Sodium: 320mg
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