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Baked Italian Meatballs Recipe

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4.3 from 6 reviews

These Baked Italian Meatballs are a delicious and protein-packed meal perfect for quick dinners. Made with lean ground beef, Parmesan, and Italian seasonings, they bake to juicy perfection and can be served with your favorite pasta sauce and noodles or zucchini noodles. Ideal for meal prep, they keep well and are a family favorite.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup milk (2%)
  • ½ cup crushed crackers or breadcrumbs
  • ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup finely minced yellow onion
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon fine salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Optional Garnish

  • Fresh parsley
  • Additional grated Parmesan cheese

For Serving

  • Favorite pasta sauce
  • Cooked pasta or zucchini noodles

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400℉ and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  2. Mix Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine lean ground beef, egg, milk, crushed crackers, Parmesan cheese, minced onion, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
  3. Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into 12 evenly sized meatballs, about golf ball size, using your hands or a cookie scoop for uniformity.
  4. Bake Meatballs: Arrange the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each. Bake in the preheated oven for 16-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165℉.
  5. Prepare Sauce (Optional): While the meatballs bake, heat your preferred pasta sauce in a skillet over medium heat. Once the meatballs are done, transfer them carefully to the sauce and toss gently to coat.
  6. Serve: Serve the meatballs hot over cooked pasta or zucchini noodles. Garnish with fresh parsley and additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
  7. Store Leftovers: Place leftover meatballs in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days for easy reheating.

Notes

  • Use crushed gluten-free crackers or gluten-free Italian breadcrumbs to make this recipe gluten-free.
  • Meatballs can be prepped ahead and frozen for convenient meals later.
  • For a lower fat option, substitute ground turkey or chicken.

Find it online: https://bitezly.com/baked-italian-meatballs-recipe/