Easy and Delicious Oven-Baked Meatballs Recipe

Meatballs are a favourite of many food lovers around the world. Whether you’re making a dish to impress your guests or a quick meal for your family, meatballs are an easy and delicious option that can be enjoyed in various ways. While frying meatballs on the stovetop is the most common method, baking them in the oven is a healthier, less messy and simpler way to cook them. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make meatballs in the oven that are tender, juicy and full of flavour.

Firstly, start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) and preparing a large baking sheet by covering it with parchment paper. Then, in a mixing bowl, combine your ground meat (chicken, beef, pork, lamb or a mixture) with bread crumbs, an egg, grated Parmesan cheese, fresh herbs (such as parsley, basil or thyme), garlic, salt and pepper. Using a spoon or your hands, mix the ingredients until they are fully combined but not overworked. This mixture should make around 18-20 medium-size meatballs, depending on your preferred size. Roll the mixture into evenly-sized balls and place them in rows on the baking sheet, making sure there is some space between them. Once your meatballs are formed and arranged, put the baking sheet in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until they are golden brown and cooked through.

Ingredients you’ll need to make meatballs in the oven

To make delicious meatballs in the oven, you will need to gather a few essential ingredients. These include:

1. Ground beef
2. Bread crumbs
3. Eggs
4. Parmesan cheese
5. Onion
6. Garlic
7. Salt and pepper
8. Olive oil
9. Tomato sauce
10. Fresh parsley

Step-by-step instructions

Now that you have collected all of your ingredients let’s get started.

1. Preheat your oven

Before you start mixing your ingredients together for your meatballs, set your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. This will ensure your oven is ready to cook your meatballs once they are fully prepped.

2. Prepare your meatball mix

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, bread crumbs, eggs, Parmesan cheese, chopped onion, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly, so all ingredients are evenly combined.

3. Roll your meatballs

Using your hands, form the mixture into meatballs that are about 1 – 1 ½ inches in diameter. This should make about 20-25 meatballs.

4. Place meatballs on baking sheet

Drizzle olive oil over a baking sheet, and then place your meatballs on top. Make sure they are evenly spaced out, so they have enough room to cook without sticking together.

5. Bake in the oven

Place the baking sheet with the meatballs in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until fully cooked. The internal temperature of the meatballs should reach 160°F.

6. Prepare the tomato sauce

While the meatballs are cooking, prepare your tomato sauce. You can make your homemade sauce or use a store-bought version. Heat your tomato sauce in a saucepan for about 10 minutes on medium heat.

7. Add your cooked meatballs to the sauce

Once your meatballs are fully cooked, remove them from the oven and immediately add them to your tomato sauce. Be sure to coat them in the sauce thoroughly.

8. Simmer the meatballs and sauce

Reduce the heat of your stovetop to low and let the meatballs and sauce simmer for an additional 15-20 minutes. This will allow the flavor of the sauce to infuse into the meatballs.

9. Plate your meatballs

Carefully remove the meatballs from the sauce, and place them onto a serving plate or dish. You can garnish them with some fresh parsley for added flavor and color.

10. Serve and enjoy your homemade meatballs!

Your delicious homemade meatballs are now ready to serve! Pair them with some pasta or use them to make a meatball sub. The possibilities are endless.

The Ingredients Needed for Oven-Baked Meatballs

Now that we’ve established how oven-baked meatballs are a healthier and hassle-free alternative to the traditional fried meatballs, let’s dive into the ingredients required for making these delicious gems.

Making meatballs in the oven is a fairly simple and straightforward process that requires only a handful of ingredients. While some variations of meatballs call for additional ingredients, the classic meatball recipe generally only requires the following:

1. Ground Meat – Meatballs can be made with a variety of ground meats. Beef, pork, turkey, and chicken are all viable options.

2. Bread Crumbs – Bread crumbs act as a binder, holding the meatballs together and preventing them from falling apart.

3. Eggs – Eggs are also used as binders and help to keep the meatballs moist and tender.

4. Milk – Adding milk to the meat mixture gives the meatballs a creamier texture.

5. Parmesan Cheese – Parmesan cheese is added for flavor and also acts as a binding agent.

6. Garlic – Garlic is added to enhance the meatballs’ flavor.

7. Onion – Onion is added for flavor and texture.

8. Salt and Pepper – Salt and pepper are added for flavor.

9. Olive Oil – Olive oil is used to keep the meatballs moist and also helps to brown them in the oven.

10. Parsley – Parsley is optional but adds a nice touch of flavor to the meatballs.

The Meat

When it comes to choosing the right meat for your meatballs, it’s essential to pick something with a high-fat content. Ground beef with a predominance of lean meat might be healthy, but when it comes to meatballs, a higher fat ratio will result in better flavor and texture. A combination of beef and pork also makes for a more flavorful meatball.

The Bread Crumbs

Bread crumbs provide texture and flavour to the meatballs as well as serving as a binding agent. They are available in the ready-to-buy packed form from the grocery store or can be made at home by grinding stale bread into fine crumbs. White bread crumbs are the most commonly used, but you can also use whole wheat bread crumbs for a nuttier taste.

The Eggs

Eggs are essential in helping the meatballs hold their shape together. They not only add moisture but also provide a binding effect. For an average meatball recipe, 1-2 eggs are required gently beaten before adding them to the mix.

The Milk

Adding milk is essential in creating moist meatballs. Whole milk or full-fat milk works well. Non-dairy options like almond or oat milk can also be considered.

The Parmesan Cheese

Though Parmesan cheese is commonly used, you can also use other options like Romano cheese, Pecorino cheese, or Asiago cheese. The cheese adds a tasty touch while serving also as a binding agent.

The Garlic

Garlic enhances the flavor of the meatballs. They can be added to the meat mixture by finely chopping, minced, or crushed.

The Onion

Onions are typically used in cooking, and meatballs are no exception. The onions added to meatballs give them a lovely depth of flavor. It’s essential to chop the onions as fine as possible so that they mix well with the meat.

The Salt and Pepper

Salt and pepper are the two most basic seasonings in any savory dish. Adding just enough salt and pepper to the meat mixture brings out the flavors of the meat.

The Olive Oil

Olive oil is used to keep the meatballs moist and tender and also helps to brown them evenly in the oven.

The Parsley

While adding parsley is entirely optional, it adds a vibrant freshness to the meatballs. Fresh parsley is best, and you can chop it finely before adding it to the mixture. Dried parsley can also be used but in lesser quantity.

Ingredients for Oven-Baked Meatballs

Making meatballs in an oven is a simple, stress-free, and healthy way to prepare this classic dish. Before you embark on the cooking journey, here is a list of everything you’ll need:

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Oven-Baked Meatballs

Now that you’ve gathered all the necessary items let’s dive into making tender and juicy meatballs in an oven. Here is a step-by-step guide that will help you in the process:

Step 1: Preheat your oven

Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C) and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2: Combine the ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients – ground beef, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, egg, milk, salt, black pepper, and parsley. Gently mix everything with your hands, making sure not to over-mix.

Step 3: Shape the meatballs

With slightly damp hands, start shaping the meat mixture into round-shaped meatballs of desired size. Ensure that they are all equal in size to achieve even cooking.

Step 4: Place meatballs on a baking sheet

Place the formed meatballs on a prepared baking sheet and make sure that they are not touching each other. Brush them lightly with extra-virgin olive oil.

Step 5: Bake the meatballs

Bake the meatballs on the center rack of your preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until they are cooked through and have a golden-brown crust.

Tips for Perfect Meatballs

Making meatballs is an easy-does-it process, but here are some tips to help you achieve the savory, tender, and juicy meatballs you’ve been yearning for:

Use a combination of meats

For a more complex flavor, you can use a mixture of ground beef, pork, or veal to prepare your meatballs.

Don’t over-mix the ingredients

Mix the ingredients gently with your hands for moist and tender meatballs. Overworking the mixture may cause the meatballs to be tough and dry.

Ensure equal sizes

When shaping the meatballs, ensure that they are equal in size to avoid uneven cooking.

Brush the meatballs

Brush the meatballs with some olive oil before placing them in the oven to create a crispy and golden-brown crust.

Use a thermometer

The internal temperature of well-poked meatballs should be 165°F (75°C). It’s crucial to use a meat thermometer to ensure that your meatballs are cooked safe to eat and don’t dry out.

Conclusion

Meatballs are a go-to dish for dinner and you don’t always have to cook them on the stovetop. The oven, the innovative cooking appliance, can create savory, juicy, and evenly cooked meatballs. Don’t forget to have fun and experiment with different ingredients to come up with a meatball recipe that works for you.

Time to Dig In and Say Thanks!

Now that your meatballs are perfectly baked, all that’s left is digging in and enjoying them. Whether you serve them with marinara sauce, pasta, or on a toothpick, these meatballs are sure to impress. Thanks for taking the time to read this article on how to make meatballs in the oven. We hope you found it helpful and informative. Remember to visit our website again later for more delicious recipes and cooking tips. Happy cooking!