Description
Succulent homemade Italiano-style baked meatballs combine ground beef, herbs, and cheese for an authentic Italian dinner experience. Families and guests will savor these juicy, perfectly seasoned morsels that bring Mediterranean comfort to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
Dry Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Wet Ingredients and Herbs:
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 400F (200C) and cover a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal cooking surface.
- Gently blend ground beef with breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, pepper, paprika, oregano, and milk in a spacious mixing bowl, ensuring ingredients are evenly distributed without overmixing.
- Form the meat mixture into uniform spherical portions, approximately 1.5 inches in diameter, carefully placing each meatball on the prepared baking sheet with slight separation to promote even browning.
- Position the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast for 18-20 minutes, rotating the sheet midway through cooking to guarantee consistent color and thorough internal cooking.
- Verify doneness by checking that meatballs have developed a rich golden exterior and reached an internal temperature of 160F, signaling they are fully cooked and safe to consume.
- Extract from the oven and let rest for 2-3 minutes to allow juices to redistribute, then serve alongside preferred marinara sauce, atop pasta, or as a standalone appetizer.
Notes
- Gently mix ingredients to prevent tough, dense meatballs by avoiding overmixing the meat mixture.
- Use a light touch when forming meatballs, rolling them between your palms quickly to keep them tender and prevent compacting.
- For a leaner option, swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken, adjusting cooking time slightly to prevent drying out.
- Add moisture and richness by incorporating soaked breadcrumbs in milk or using a mixture of meats like beef and pork for extra flavor depth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 282 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 522 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg