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    Home » Mediterranean recipes

    Easy Italian Meatball Recipe

    Published: Aug 6, 2020 · Modified: Feb 4, 2022 by Shadi HasanzadeNemati · This post may contain affiliate links .

    130 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This easy Italian meatball recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner. The juicy beef meatballs are cooked in a delicious sauce for a satisfying meal.

    Homemade Italian meatballs are perfect for dinner. These are made with ground beef and are so juicy and tender. Cooked in tomato sauce and topped with mozzarella, you can enjoy these meatballs in a sub, with salad, potatoes or pasta! So easy and simple to make and they're perfect for meal prep.

    When it comes to weeknight dinners, Italian recipes are so good to try. Some of our favorites are caprese pizza, Italian stuffed peppers and eggplant parmesan. This Italian meatball recipe is another family favorite and is super easy to make. Be sure to read to the end of the post for my tips and tricks for perfect meatballs!

    This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Safeway. All opinions are mine.

    Table Of Contents:
    • Why this recipe works
    • Ingredients and substitutions
    • How to make Italian beef meatballs
    • Baking instructions
    • Serving suggestions
    • Freezing instructions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • More meatball recipes
    • Step-by-Step Recipe

    Why this recipe works

    Meatballs are comforting any time of year! When cooked in a delicious tomato based sauce and topped with cheese (like the one we have here!) they are the definition of comfort food. Here are a few reasons you might want to try this recipe:

    1. Quick and easy: No resting or chilling is needed for this recipe. Simply make the mixture, cook and serve. It takes less than 40 minutes from start to finish.
    2. They're tender: No more chewy and rubbery meatballs. Follow this Italian meatball recipe and you'll get juicy and tender meatballs every time.
    3. Absolutely delicious: This is going to be your go-to Italian meatball recipe. With fresh and dried herbs, these are flavorful in every bite.
    4. Leftovers are delicious: This recipe makes about 25 large meatballs and if you have leftovers, they reheat beautifully and taste just as good. They also freeze very well.
    Homemade Italian meatballs are perfect for dinner. These are made with ground beef and are so juicy and tender. Cooked in tomato sauce and topped with mozzarella, you can enjoy these meatballs in a sub, with salad, potatoes or pasta! So easy and simple to make and they're perfect for meal prep.

    Ingredients and substitutions

    The key to delicious meatballs is quality ingredients. Here is what you need to make these homemade beef meatballs:

    • Ground beef: I used O Organics® grass fed 85% lean ground beef for this recipe. It results in some of the most tender meatballs I've tasted. O Organics products are budget friendly without compromising quality and taste.
    • Breadcrumbs: The addition of breadcrumbs make these meatballs soft and gives them a nice texture. For a gluten free version, try gluten free breadcrumbs.
    • Milk: Adding the milk to the breadcrumb makes a mixture that makes the meatballs moist. You can use any kind of milk including whole or dairy free milk.
    • Eggs: You need eggs to bind the ingredients together. It's also possible to use flax eggs.
    • Basil and parsley: You can use dried or fresh basil for this recipe to add flavor and freshness. I suggest you use fresh chopped parsley in the mixture and as a final touch.
    • All purpose flour: No flour goes into the mixture, but the meatballs are rolled in flour before cooking for that brown delicious coating! Gluten free flour works, too.
    • Marinara sauce: You can use your favorite homemade or store-bought marinara sauce to cook the meatballs.
    • Mozzarella: I topped the meatballs with O Organics shredded mozzarella at the end before serving. Always say yes to the melting cheese!
    Homemade Italian meatballs are perfect for dinner. These are made with ground beef and are so juicy and tender. Cooked in tomato sauce and topped with mozzarella, you can enjoy these meatballs in a sub, with salad, potatoes or pasta! So easy and simple to make and they're perfect for meal prep.

    Shop O Organics® offers high quality USDA-certified organic back to school essentials available in every aisle of the store at a value. It's available in the Maryland area exclusively at Safeway stores or one of Albertsons Companies family of stores.

    How to make Italian beef meatballs

    Make the mixture

    In a large bowl, place the ground beef, bread crumbs, milk, eggs, dried basil and chopped parsley. Using your hands, mix all the ingredients together until well combined and forms a ball. You want this mixture to be pretty sticky and coherent.

    Prepare the meatballs

    Using a large ice cream scoop, scoop out the meatball mixture and form the balls, placing them on a baking sheet. Roll each meatball in flour and place it back on the baking sheet. Wet your hands to prevent the mixture from sticking to them.

    Sear in the pan

    Heat some olive oil over medium heat and sear the meatballs on all sides until they are brown. At this point, we don't want them to cook completely, but just deep brown. Transfer the meatballs to a plate and set aside.

    Cook in the sauce

    Add the pasta sauce to the same pan and bring it to a low simmer. Add the meatballs to the sauce and let them cook for about 10 to 15 minutes, until they're fully cooked. I like to ladle some sauce on them a few times while cooking.

    Once the meatballs are cooked, sprinkle some shredded mozzarella cheese on top, then cover and cook for another 2 minutes until the cheese is melted. Top with parsley and serve immediately.

    mix all the ingredients, form the meatballs and then roll in flour. Then sear and cook in sauce. Top with cheese.

    Baking instructions

    To make Italian baked meatballs, skip rolling them in flour. Instead, place them on a baking sheet and coat them with cooking spray. Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes. Then place them in the pasta sauce and simmer for a few minutes.

    Serving suggestions

    These beef meatballs go well with many different sides. Here are a few suggestions:

    • Starchy sides: white rice, brown rice, pasta, roasted potatoes or simply some crusty bread.
    • Lighter sides: Mediterranean salad, eggplant caponata, caprese salad and cucumber tomato avocado salad.
    • You can also turn it into a sandwich using some homemade hoagie rolls.
    Homemade Italian meatballs are perfect for dinner. These are made with ground beef and are so juicy and tender. Cooked in tomato sauce and topped with mozzarella, you can enjoy these meatballs in a sub, with salad, potatoes or pasta! So easy and simple to make and they're perfect for meal prep.

    Freezing instructions

    • Freeze cooked meatballs: Once the meatballs are seared on all sides, transfer them to a baking sheet and let them cool completely. Freeze them in freezer bags for up to 3 months. To serve, heat pasta sauce in a pan or a pot and place the meatballs in the sauce. Cook until completely heated through.
    • Freeze uncooked meatballs: Form the meatballs but don't roll them in flour. Place them on a baking sheet and freeze for one hour until they're solid. Transfer them to freezer bags and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to cook, thaw the meatballs in the fridge, roll them in flour and proceed with the recipe as instructed.
    This easy Italian meatball recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner. The juicy beef meatballs are cooked in a delicious sauce for a satisfying meal.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What to do with the leftovers?

    Store the meatballs in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. reheat in the microwave or in a pan over medium heat with a little water.

    How can I make meatballs without eggs and milk?

    Use flax eggs and dairy free products such as almond or cashew milk.

    Can I use other meats to make meatballs?

    Some recipes call for a combination of beef and pork or even sausage. We like ours made with beef, however, you can definitely go with your own preferred ratio.

    Can I make beef meatballs ahead of time?

    You can make the mixture up to a day in advance and keep it refrigerated until you're ready to cook. You can also cook the entire dish and refrigerate it a day in advance and reheat when ready to serve.

    What do breadcrumbs and milk do for meatballs?

    Breadcrumbs absorb the liquid (milk) very well which would result in juicy meatballs.

    Why did my meatballs fall apart?

    The main reason that meatballs fall apart is that the mixture doesn't contain enough binding agent such as eggs. Searing the meatballs in advance also prevents them from falling apart.

    More meatball recipes

    • Soutzoukakia: Greek Baked Meatballs Recipe
    • Greek Meatballs Recipe (Keftedes)
    • Baked Turkey Meatballs Mediterranean Style
    • Cheese Stuffed Eggplant Meatballs

    Did you make this recipe? I'd love to hear about it! Please comment and leave a 5-star🌟 rating below. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or subscribe to our newsletter to get a free e-Cookbook!

    Step-by-Step Recipe

    Easy Italian Meatball Recipe

    Shadi HasanzadeNemati
    This easy Italian meatball recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner. The juicy beef meatballs are cooked in a delicious sauce for a satisfying meal.
    5 from 16 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 35 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 6
    Calories 420 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 lb ground beef 85% lean
    • ½ cup breadcrumbs
    • â…“ cup milk
    • 2 eggs
    • 1 ½ teaspoon dried basil
    • ÂĽ cup parsley chopped
    • 1 tsp salt
    • ½ tsp black pepper
    • ½ cup all purpose flour
    • 2 tbsp olive oil
    • 4 cups marinara sauce
    • ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

    Instructions
     

    • Place the ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, eggs, dried basil, parsley, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Using your hands mix the ingredients until well combined. The mixture will be sticky.
    • Using a large ice cream scoop, scoop out and shape the meatballs. Place them on a baking sheet. Roll each meatball in all purpose flour and place back on the baking sheet.
    • Heat olive oil in a pan and sear the meatballs in batches until they're brown in all sides. Transfer the meatballs to a plate.
    • Heat the pasta sauce in the same pan and bring it to a low simmer. Place the meatballs in the sauce and simmer for a few minutes until the meatballs are fully cooked. Top with shredded mozzarella, cover and cook for about two minutes until the cheese is melted. Serve immediately.

    Notes

    • For gluten free meatballs, use gluten free breadcrumbs and gluten free flour.  
    • You can use dairy free milk such as cashew milk or almond milk. 
    • As for the pasta or marinara sauce, you can use homemade or store-bought. 
    • You can serve these Italian meatballs with the following side dishes:
      • Starchy sides: white rice, brown rice, pasta, roasted potatoes or simply some crusty bread.
      • Lighter sides: Mediterranean salad, eggplant caponata, caprese salad and cucumber tomato avocado salad.
    • Store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. You can reheat it in the microwave or in a pan with a little bit of water. 
    • Freeze cooked meatballs: Once the meatballs are seared on all sides, transfer them to a baking sheet and let them cool completely. Freeze them in freezer bags for up to 3 months. To serve, heat pasta sauce in a pan or a pot and place the meatballs in the sauce. Cook until completely heated through.
    • Freeze uncooked meatballs: Form the meatballs but don't roll them in flour. Place them on a baking sheet and freeze for one hour until they're solid. Transfer them to freezer bags and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to cook, thaw the meatballs in the fridge, roll them in flour and proceed with the recipe as instructed.
    •  

    Nutrition

    Calories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 41gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 157mgSodium: 1496mgPotassium: 1158mgFiber: 3gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 1082IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 131mgIron: 7mg
    Did you make this recipe? Let us know how it was by leaving a comment and a 5-star review!
    « Grilled Chicken Wings Recipe Persian Style
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    130 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Justine

      February 28, 2022 at 1:06 pm

      5 stars
      Sooooooo full of flavor! Will absolutely be making these again!

      Reply
    2. Ashley

      February 28, 2022 at 11:25 am

      5 stars
      Easy and delicious!

      Reply
    3. Gina

      May 18, 2021 at 11:14 am

      5 stars
      5 STARS! I will definitely be making these again!

      Reply
    4. Allison

      May 18, 2021 at 10:23 am

      5 stars
      My kids loved these! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    5. Katie

      August 23, 2020 at 11:36 am

      5 stars
      This looks like something I've got to try! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    6. wilhelmina

      August 23, 2020 at 8:45 am

      5 stars
      Love these meatballs! They cook up so tender and delicious in the sauce. No dried out bland meatballs here!

      Reply
    7. Sydnie

      August 10, 2020 at 1:13 pm

      5 stars
      One of the best recipes I have come across! So tasty!

      Reply
    8. Nellie Tracy

      August 10, 2020 at 12:28 pm

      5 stars
      Great recipe! Love pairing these with our family recipe for homemade spaghetti sauce! Delicious!

      Reply
    9. Irina

      August 10, 2020 at 12:17 pm

      5 stars
      There are so many Italian meatball recipes, but yours is the best. I made it for our lunch> it was DELICIOUS! I will be making it again. 🙂

      Reply
    10. rika

      August 10, 2020 at 12:14 pm

      5 stars
      Oh yum, I love how easy it is to make! These meatballs would perfect for a lunch sandwich.

      Reply
    11. Annissa

      August 10, 2020 at 11:58 am

      5 stars
      What tender and delicious meatballs! I've never coated meatballs before searing them until now. It's a game-changer for the tasty coating on the outside. So good!

      Reply
    12. Elaine

      August 10, 2020 at 11:55 am

      5 stars
      I can't believe how juicy these meatballs look! This recipe is exactly what I need every time I crave delicious meatballs - yum!

      Reply
    13. Kathryn

      August 10, 2020 at 11:08 am

      5 stars
      I love me some Italian meatballs -- and these looks incredible! Thanks so much for sharing!

      Reply

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    130 shares