Description
Delicious mini meatballs baked to perfection and served with savory marinara sauce, perfect for appetizers or a hearty meal. Made with ground beef, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning, these meatballs are easy to prepare and sure to please any crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef (or turkey/chicken)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (or gluten-free alternative)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Marinara Sauce & Garnish
- 1 ½ cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- Extra Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven – Set the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture – In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, beaten egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined, avoiding overmixing to keep meatballs tender.
- Form the Meatballs – Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs using your hands, then place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake – Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the meatballs for 20 to 25 minutes, or until they develop a golden brown exterior and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), indicating they are fully cooked.
- Serve – While the meatballs bake, warm the marinara sauce in a pan on the stovetop. Once the meatballs are done, either pour the heated marinara sauce over them or serve the sauce on the side as a dip. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Don’t overmix the meatball mixture to keep the meatballs tender and juicy.
- Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure meatballs are safely cooked.
- Marinara sauce can be homemade or store-bought, depending on convenience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
