Description
Easy Italian Baked Meatballs are juicy, flavorful, and ready in just 30 minutes! Baked for a healthier twist and paired with a quick homemade marinara sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners, pasta dishes, or hearty subs. Try them today!
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
1 lb ground beef
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
1½ tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp salt
1 large egg
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
¾ cup breadcrumbs
½ cup lukewarm water
For the Marinara Sauce:
3 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
½ tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1½ tsp Italian seasoning
Extra Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, black pepper, salt, egg, Parmesan cheese, and breadcrumbs. Gradually add lukewarm water, mixing gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep meatballs tender.
- Form Meatballs: Using a tablespoon or small scoop, shape the mixture into balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12–15 minutes, or until cooked through and lightly browned.
- Prepare Marinara Sauce: While meatballs are baking, heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Sauté the minced garlic for about one minute until it releases its aroma. Add crushed red pepper flakes if using. Stir in crushed tomatoes, salt, sugar, and Italian seasoning. Simmer for at least 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Combine and Serve: Once meatballs are done, add them to the marinara sauce, stirring to coat. Serve hot, topped with extra Parmesan cheese.
Notes
Avoid overmixing the meat mixture to keep meatballs tender.
Freeze extras in a sealed bag for up to 3 months.
Swap beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
Gluten-free breadcrumbs work great for dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: ITALIAN
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 meatballs
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Protein: 14g