This Homemade Meatball Recipe turns out perfect every single time! Perfect for topping spaghetti, meatball subs, and an easy appetizer!
I have always been one of those people who thought it was easy to grab a bag of frozen meatballs at the store. Turns out, homemade meatballs are just as simple and taste SO much better!
All you need is ten minutes of your time and a few key ingredients. Broiling them gives a nice crispy outside leaving the middle moist and delicious! I chose to use a mixture of half ground beef and half Italian sausage, but you could easily stick with one or the other. Use what you have on hand.
This beef meatball recipe taste great with any pasta sauce variety. You can use traditional marinara, garlic and basil, or veggie packed pasta sauce!
Recipe Features:
- Make-Ahead Dinner Recipe: These oven baked meatballs can be made up to 4 days in advance!
- Freezer Friendly! Make them last longer, 1 to 2 months, by freezing. Instructions below.
- Family Favorite Recipe: There are so many ways to serve these. Keeping them on hand for an easy weeknight dinner is a must!
Step by Step Instructions:
- Preheat your broiler and line a baking tray with tin foil. Lightly mist with cooking spray and set aside.
- Combine ground beef, Italian sausage, bread crumbs, dried onion, garlic, pepper, Italian seasoning, salt, Parmesan cheese, and eggs in a medium sized bowl.
- Mix gently until fully combined. I recommend using your hands or a wooden spoon.
- Using a scoop or tablespoon, scoop 2 tablespoons of the meat mixture. Roll and place on your prepared tray.
- Broil 10 minutes or until the meatballs have slightly browned.
- Remove and place in a large pot. Top with your favorite pasta sauce and simmer 30 minutes or until heated through.
Tips and FAQs:
Below is a quick breakdown of the most asked questions. Use this as a quick guide to easy meatballs!
How do you keep meatballs moist?
The last thing you want when making this easy weeknight dinner recipe is to end up with dry meatballs. Follow these steps to ensure moist and perfect meatballs every single time.
- Pick a meat with a higher fat. Fattier meats tend to make a more juicy meatball. You can definiatly use a leaner meat. Just keep a close eye and be sure not to overcook them.
- Adding moisture and binders helps keep your meatballs together, but also helps them to keep from shrinking and drying out. Don’t skip the breadcrumbs, eggs, and cheese in this recipe.
- Mix carefully. Over mixing the meat can result in tough and dry meatballs. Use your hands or a wooden spoon to combine the ingredients until just combined.
What should I serve with meatballs?
One of the reasons I love to have these on hand is that they are so versatile. You can serve them in so many different ways making them a fun family dinner that everyone will enjoy. Here are a few of our favorite ways to eat meatballs:
- spaghetti and meatballs
- meatball subs
- with a side salad and Texas toast
- topped on a pile of grilled veggies
- as kabobs or skewers
- in soup
How many meatballs can you get out of 1 pound of meat?
For this recipe, I find that it yields 28-30 meatballs. I use a scoop to keep mine evenly measured. You could also use a tablespoon and spoon 2-3 scoops into the palm of your hand. Roll into a ball and place on the tray.
One of the best things about this easy recipe is that it is FREEZER FRIENDLY. That is right, my friends. You can freeze these meatballs to use later. That makes them ideal for quick meals, weeknight dinners, or an easy way to jazz up spaghetti night!
Looking for another quick and easy dinner idea? Try my Vegetable Lo Mein or Quick and Simple Meatloaf!
How to freeze homemade meatballs:
- Once you have broiled your meatballs to a golden brown, allow to cool completely.
- Place in a labeled freezer safe bag. Close tightly and freeze until solid.
How to reheat frozen meatballs:
- Place the frozen meatballs in a medium saucepan.
- Cover with your favorite pasta sauce.
- Cook 30 minutes or until heated through.
Like this recipe? You will love my:
Homemade Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage
- 1/4 cup Italian style breadcrumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons dry onion
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese shredded
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce
Instructions
- Line 1 baking tray with foil and lightly mist with cooking spray. Set aside and preheat the broiler.
- Combine the first 10 ingredients in a medium sized bowl. Mix gently until combined.Â
- Scoop 2-3 tablespoons of the mixture and roll into a ball. Place on your lined tray. Continue until all of the meat is rolled and placed on the tray.
- Broil for 10 minutes or until the meatballs are golden brown on top.
- Place into a large pot. Top with your pasta sauce. Simmer 30 minutes and serve.
To Freeze:
- After you have broiled the meatballs, cool completely. Place in a labeled freezer safe bag and in the freezer.Â
- To reheat, place in a pan with 1 jar of your favorite pasta sauce. Simmer 30 minutes or until heated through.Â
Notes
How to reheat frozen meatballs:
- Place the frozen meatballs in a medium saucepan.
- Cover with your favorite pasta sauce.
- Cook 30 minutes or until heated through.
Equipment
Nutrition
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Comments & Reviews
Bonnie johnson says
wow, These are so good! I made mine with half hamber and half Jimmy Dean’s Sage sausage. Thank you so much for this recipe.
Jesseca says
Hi Bonnie, I’m so glad you loved these meatballs! This is such a super easy and delicious way to upgrade your pasta or make sandwich night extra tasty.