Description
Savory Italian meatballs bring hearty Mediterranean flavors to dinner tables worldwide. Packed with rich herbs, tender ground meat, and classic seasonings, these delectable bites invite home cooks to savor authentic Italian comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef or your choice of meat
- 1 large egg, beaten
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, preferably Parmigiano-Reggiano
Binding and Flavor Enhancers:
- ⅔ cup milk
- ½ cup Italian bread crumbs
- ¼ medium onion, finely diced or grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley or 1 teaspoon dried parsley (optional)
Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for even cooking and easy cleanup.
- Combine Italian bread crumbs with whole milk in a spacious mixing bowl, allowing the crumbs to absorb moisture and soften for 5 minutes.
- Incorporate ground beef, finely diced onion, minced garlic, beaten egg, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped fresh parsley into the softened breadcrumb mixture.
- Gently blend the ingredients using clean hands, ensuring even distribution without overmixing to maintain a tender texture.
- Shape the meat mixture into uniform 2-inch spherical meatballs, carefully placing them on the prepared baking sheet with slight spacing between each ball.
- Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and roast for 18-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) when checked with a meat thermometer.
- Remove the meatballs from the oven and let them rest for a moment to drain excess fat, then transfer to a serving platter and accompany with your favorite marinara or tomato sauce.
Notes
- Freeze leftover meatballs in an airtight container for up to 3 months, ensuring they’re completely cooled before storing.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option that still delivers rich flavor.
- Grate fresh Parmesan cheese instead of pre-packaged for more authentic and intense taste profile.
- Add a splash of red wine to the meat mixture for deeper, more complex flavor dimensions.
- Use a meat thermometer to guarantee perfectly cooked meatballs without overcooking or drying out the meat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 100mg