Description
Meatball Parmesan is a classic Italian-American dish featuring juicy, flavorful meatballs made from a blend of ground beef and pork, baked in marinara sauce and topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. This hearty main course is perfect served over pasta, in sandwiches, or alongside garlic bread for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 500g ground beef
- 250g ground pork
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 large egg
Sauce and Topping
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the meatballs evenly.
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes (if using), and the egg. Mix gently until just combined to maintain tender meatballs without overworking the meat.
- Shape the Meatballs: Form the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs to ensure even cooking and a perfect bite-sized portion.
- Brown the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan. This step seals in the juices and adds flavor.
- Prepare for Baking: After browning, remove the skillet from heat and drain any excess grease. Pour marinara sauce over the meatballs, making sure they are mostly covered to keep them moist during baking.
- Add Cheese Toppings: Evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the meatballs followed by the remaining 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese to create a bubbly, flavorful crust when baked.
- Bake the Meatballs: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the meatballs are fully cooked through.
- Serve: Allow the dish to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy over pasta, in hoagie rolls as hearty sandwiches, or with a side of garlic bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- Serve over pasta, in hoagie rolls for sandwiches, or with a side of garlic bread.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version of this dish.
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make this dish gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
