Easy Italian Meatball Recipe

5 from 16 votes

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.

Prep Time15

Cook Time20

Total Time35

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Servings:

Calories: 420kcal

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.

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.