Easy Italian Meatballs Recipe

Easy Italian Meatballs

These delicious and tender meatballs are perfect for a quick weeknight meal. Serve them over pasta with your favorite marinara sauce for a satisfying and flavorful dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef (or a combination of ground beef and Italian sausage)
• ½ cup panko breadcrumbs (or Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs)
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• Olive oil for cooking

Cooking Guide:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, parsley, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the meatballs tough.

3. Shape the mixture into 1- to 2-inch balls. Roll them gently between your palms to form smooth balls.

4. Drizzle the prepared baking sheet with olive oil. Place the meatballs on the baking sheet, leaving some space between them.

5. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and golden brown on the outside. A toothpick inserted into the center of a meatball should come out clear.

6. While the meatballs are baking, you can prepare your favorite marinara sauce on the stovetop.

7. Once cooked, remove the meatballs from the oven and drain any excess grease. Serve immediately over pasta with marinara sauce, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Tips:

• For moister meatballs, you can soak the breadcrumbs in a splash of milk or broth for a few minutes before adding them to the meatball mixture.
• If you don’t have fresh parsley, you can substitute with 1/2 teaspoon of dried parsley.
• Want to add a kick of spice? Try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meatball mixture.
• These meatballs can also be cooked on the stovetop. Heat a skillet with olive oil over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through.
• Leftover meatballs can be used in sandwiches, wraps, or salads.