How to Make Meatballs
How to Cook Meatballs in the Oven
There’s nothing better than homemade meatballs on top of your spaghettis noodles! Those frozen meatballs in a bag don’t come close to the flavors in these bad boys! Make sure to also check out our mozzarella stuffed meatballs, meatball sliders, and swedish meatballs, too!
You just need a few ingredients to make fresh homemade meatballs in your oven. Grab the following ingredients and let’s get rolling: The Meatball Crew: 1 pound of ground beef or turkey – the star of the show! The Egg-cellent Binder: 1 egg to hold everything together The Flavor Squad: parsley, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper – they’re all here to bring the flavor! The Onion Oracle: 1 small yellow onion, diced small, to add a punch of sweetness. The Crunchy Companion: ¼ cup of breadcrumbs to add some texture to the mix.
Let’s get this meatball party started! Preheat your oven to 400°F. Prep a baking sheet with some foil or cooking spray – we don’t want any sticky situations! Now, get your mix on!
In a large bowl, combine ground meat, egg, spices, onion, and breadcrumbs. Use your hands (get in there and get messy!) or a trusty silicone spatula to mix it all up. Time to roll! Use a cookie scoop or your hands (wet them first, trust us) to shape those meatballs into 2-inch balls.
Place them on the baking sheet, leaving some space for them in-between. Pop that baking sheet into the oven for 18-20 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and cooked to perfection! Serve those bad boys with your fave sauce over pasta or all alone – we won’t judge!
To make perfect meatballs, it’s all about striking the right balance. Start by mixing your ingredients JUST until they come together – overmixing can lead to tough, dense meatballs. Choose a meat with a good balance of lean and fat, such as ground beef, pork, or a combination of the two. Aim for meatballs that are about 1.5-2 inches in diameter, as this size allows for even cooking.
When baking your meatballs, be sure to leave some space between each one on the baking sheet. This allows for good air circulation and prevents them from steaming instead of browning. Finally, let your meatballs rest for a few minutes after baking. This simple step allows the juices to redistribute, making the meatballs even more tender and flavorful.
You can also make these meatballs for an appetizer with grape jelly and BBQ sauce! Or try our famous crockpot swedish meatballs!
Watch how to make them…
Homemade Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- 1 egg
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 small yellow onion diced small
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Heat your oven to 400 degrees F.
- Prepare a baking sheet with foil or cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, egg, spices, onion, and breadcrumbs. Use your hands or a silicone spatula to mix.
- Roll the meatball mixture into 2-inch balls and place 1 inch apart on your prepared baking sheet. (I used a large cookie scoop to make balls and wet my hands first).
- Bake the meatballs for 18-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked all the way through.
- Serve with your favorite sauce over pasta or alone.
Notes
If using a dark-coated baking sheet, flip the meatballs halfway through cooking to ensure that they don’t blacken on the bottoms. If you don’t want crisp bottoms, use parchment paper over the baking sheet or a glass dish instead.
