Flavorful Baked Italian Meatballs
These Flavorful Baked Italian Meatballs are a delightful twist on the classic recipe, offering a savory blend of herbs and cheeses baked to perfection. With a juicy, tender texture, these meatballs are infused with aromatic flavors from garlic and fresh parsley, all while being free from the mess and splatter of frying. Ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or as a freezer-friendly option, these meatballs can be prepped in advance, frozen, and quickly reheated for a delicious meal. Serve them with pasta, in a sub, or as an appetizer—this versatile dish is sure to please any crowd.
N/A
Servings
84
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Unseasoned breadcrumbs
1 cup (none)
Parmesan cheese
3/4 cup (finely grated)
Milk
1/2 cup (none)
Beef broth
1/2 cup (none)
Fresh parsley
1/2 cup (chopped)
Eggs
3 (beaten)
Dried oregano
2 tablespoons (none)
Garlic
1 tablespoon (minced)
Kosher salt
1 tablespoon (none)
Ground black pepper
1 tablespoon (none)
Dried basil
2 teaspoons (none)
Ground chuck
2 lbs (none)
Beef broth (for baking)
1 cup (none)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or coat it lightly with nonstick spray.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the unseasoned breadcrumbs, finely grated parmesan cheese, milk, beef broth, chopped fresh parsley, beaten eggs, dried oregano, minced garlic, kosher salt, ground black pepper, and dried basil. Stir until well mixed.
3
Add the ground chuck to the mixture and combine thoroughly using your hands or a spatula, ensuring the meat is well incorporated with the other ingredients.
4
Shape the meat mixture into balls approximately 2 inches in diameter and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each meatball.
5
Pour the remaining 1 cup of beef broth into the bottom of the baking sheet around the meatballs; this will keep them moist while they bake.
6
Bake in the preheated oven for around 25 minutes, or until the meatballs are browned on the outside and cooked through.
Nutrition Information
6g
Fat
4g
Carbs
5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Flavorful Baked Italian Meatballs?
They are a savory blend of herbs, cheeses, and ground chuck baked to perfection, offering a juicy and tender texture without the mess of frying.
At what temperature should the oven be set?
The oven should be preheated to 450°F (232°C).
How should I prepare the baking sheet?
Line the baking sheet with parchment paper or coat it lightly with nonstick spray.
What type of breadcrumbs are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of unseasoned breadcrumbs.
What kind of cheese is added to the meatball mixture?
3/4 cup of finely grated parmesan cheese is used.
What liquids are mixed into the meatball base?
The mixture includes 1/2 cup of milk and 1/2 cup of beef broth.
Are fresh herbs used in this meatball recipe?
Yes, the recipe uses 1/2 cup of chopped fresh parsley.
How many eggs are required for the binding?
Three beaten eggs are required.
Which dried herbs provide the Italian flavor?
Dried oregano and dried basil are used in the mixture.
How much garlic is in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1 tablespoon of minced garlic.
What type of ground meat is recommended?
2 lbs of ground chuck is used for these meatballs.
How large should the meatballs be shaped?
Shape the meat mixture into balls approximately 2 inches in diameter.
Why is extra beef broth added to the baking sheet?
Pouring 1 cup of beef broth into the bottom of the pan keeps the meatballs moist while they bake.
How long do the meatballs need to bake?
Bake the meatballs for approximately 25 minutes.
How do I know when the meatballs are fully cooked?
They are done when they are browned on the outside and cooked through.
Can these meatballs be made ahead of time?
Yes, they are freezer-friendly and can be prepped in advance and reheated.
What are the best ways to serve these meatballs?
They can be served with pasta, in a sub sandwich, or as an appetizer.
How many calories are in a serving?
Each serving contains 84 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 6g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in these meatballs?
Each serving contains 4g of carbohydrates.
What is the protein content of this dish?
There are 5g of protein per serving.
How many total ingredients are used?
There are 13 ingredients in this recipe.
Is this recipe messy to prepare?
No, because they are baked rather than fried, there is no grease splatter.
What type of salt is recommended?
1 tablespoon of kosher salt is used.
Can I use a spatula to mix the meat?
Yes, you can use your hands or a spatula to combine the ingredients thoroughly.
Is this recipe suitable for a quick weeknight dinner?
Yes, it is designed for a quick dinner or as a prep-ahead option.
How much ground black pepper is needed?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of ground black pepper.
Do these meatballs contain sugar?
No, there is no sugar listed in the ingredients or nutritional data.
Can I use these meatballs for a party?
Yes, they are versatile and work great as an appetizer for a crowd.
What makes these meatballs tender?
The combination of breadcrumbs, milk, and baking them with beef broth ensures a tender texture.