Melt-In-Your-Mouth Italian Meatballs: Tender and Juicy in Just 30 Minutes
By Olivia Hayes
These oven-baked Italian meatballs come together in just 30 minutes with simple ingredients like ground beef, breadcrumbs, and parmesan cheese, delivering incredible tenderness in every bite.
The key ingredients include ground beef for richness, Italian breadcrumbs for added flavor, and whole milk to keep the meatballs moist. Fresh parsley and aromatic onion and garlic elevate the overall taste.
While cooking, look for a golden-brown exterior on the meatballs, which signals they are done. Avoid overmixing to prevent tough meatballs, instead just combine until mixed.
To serve, pair these meatballs with spaghetti or in a sandwich. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge or frozen for quick meals later on.
Why you'll love this recipe
- Ready in about 30 minutes because the oven does the work while you prep and mix, making it perfect for quick weeknight dinners.
- One bowl handles the mixing and another for baking, which means less cleanup and time spent washing dishes.
- Cooks evenly due to portioning with a scoop, so you'll avoid overcooked or undercooked meatballs.
- Flexible recipe allows for substitutions like ground pork or different milk types, making it adaptable to what you have on hand.
- Stays tender and juicy thanks to the panade made with milk and breadcrumbs, which keeps moisture locked in during baking.
- Can be made ahead and frozen, allowing for convenient meal prep and quick dinners whenever needed.
Ingredients
- •1 lb ground beef (can substitute with pork or sausage)
- •1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- •2 thirds cup milk (can use alternatives like almond or oat milk)
- •1 medium onion (finely diced or grated)
- •2 cloves garlic (minced)
- •1 large egg (beaten)
- •1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- •1 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- •1 4 parmesan cheese (preferably Parmigiano-Reggiano)
- •1 tbsp fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried parsley)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a baking mat.
- 2
In a large mixing bowl, add Italian breadcrumbs and milk. Combine well and set aside for at least 5 minutes.
- 3
Add ground beef, onion, garlic, egg, salt, black pepper, parmesan cheese, and parsley to the breadcrumb mixture, and mix with your hands until just combined.
- 4
Portion onto the prepared baking sheet using a cookie or ice cream scoop.
- 5
Wet your hands and roll meatballs into 2" diameter balls.
- 6
Bake for about 18-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- 7
Remove from oven and drain off any excess fat. Serve with your favorite sauce.
FAQ
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories
320
