10+ Meatball Recipes to Try Today for Easy and Delicious Meals
Meatballs are a classic dish enjoyed by many around the world. You can make them simple or fill them with many flavors.
You can serve meatballs in many ways. You can easily make delicious meatballs at home using a few basic ingredients and simple steps.
Whether for a quick dinner or a special meal, meatballs are a great choice. They are versatile and satisfying.
Making your own meatballs lets you control the flavors and textures. This way, they turn out just how you like them.
1) Classic Italian Meatballs with Parmesan and Herbs
You can make classic Italian meatballs using a mix of ground beef and pork. Fresh herbs like parsley and garlic add flavor.
Grated Parmesan cheese gives them a cheesy taste. Mix the meat with eggs, breadcrumbs, and milk to keep the meatballs tender.
Season with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. You can bake or pan-fry them for even cooking.
Serve these meatballs with pasta or in a sandwich. They are perfect for a simple and tasty meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ⅓ cup milk
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian herb seasoning
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, mix meat, eggs, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, milk, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and herbs.
- Shape mixture into 1 ½-inch meatballs.
- Place meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until cooked through.
- Optionally, brown meatballs in a pan before baking for extra flavor.
2) Oven-Baked Juicy Beef Meatballs
Baking your meatballs in the oven makes them easy and less messy than frying. You’ll get juicy, tender meatballs without standing over the stove.
Mix ground beef with breadcrumbs, garlic powder, and onion powder. This mix keeps the meatballs moist and full of flavor.
Shape your meatballs evenly so they cook evenly and stay juicy inside. Bake them at 425°F (220°C) for about 15-20 minutes.
You’ll know they’re done when they are browned on the outside and cooked through.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef (80/20)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (Italian or plain)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 egg
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- In a bowl, mix all ingredients until just combined.
- Shape into 1.5-inch meatballs and place on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Serve with your favorite sauce or pasta.
For a detailed recipe, see oven baked meatballs here.
3) Mix of Beef, Veal, and Pork Meatballs
A mix of beef, veal, and pork gives your meatballs great flavor and texture. The beef adds richness, the veal keeps them tender, and the pork adds moisture.
Blend the meats evenly for the best result. Add seasonings like garlic, parsley, and cheese to boost the taste.
Be careful not to overwork the mixture so your meatballs stay soft. You can bake, fry, or simmer them in sauce for different textures.
Ingredients:
- 1/3 lb ground beef
- 1/3 lb ground veal
- 1/3 lb ground pork
- 1 small Vidalia onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1-2 tbsp olive oil
Cooking Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, mix beef, veal, pork, onion, garlic, parsley, cheese, breadcrumbs, egg, salt, and pepper.
- Form the mixture into meatballs about 1.5 inches wide.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown meatballs on all sides for 5 minutes.
- Transfer browned meatballs to a baking dish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until cooked through.
- Serve with your favorite sauce or side dish.
For a detailed recipe, check out this veal, beef and pork meatballs recipe.
4) Spaghetti Marinara with Homemade Meatballs
You can make a simple and tasty meal with spaghetti, marinara sauce, and homemade meatballs. Mix ground meat with breadcrumbs, egg, and herbs to keep the meatballs soft and flavorful.
Cook the meatballs in a hot pan until browned. Simmer them in a rich marinara sauce to soak up the flavors.
Serve the meatballs and sauce over cooked spaghetti for a hearty dinner. You can also add fresh herbs like basil or parsley for extra taste.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef or a mix of beef and pork
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 8 ounces spaghetti
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs or fresh parsley
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, mix ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper.
- Shape into small meatballs.
- Heat a pan and brown meatballs on all sides.
- Transfer meatballs to a baking dish and pour marinara sauce over them.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- Cook spaghetti according to package instructions.
- Serve meatballs and sauce over spaghetti.
5) Meatball Subs with Mozzarella and Marinara
Make a great meatball sub with juicy homemade meatballs, fresh marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese. Toast a hoagie roll or baguette for a nice crunch.
Spread warm marinara sauce over the meatballs before adding the cheese. Let the mozzarella melt under the broiler or in the oven.
Try using fresh herbs in your meatballs for extra taste. You can also add provolone or fontina cheese for a mix of flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 4 hoagie rolls
- 8 oz mozzarella cheese, sliced
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley (optional)
Cooking Instructions
- Mix beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Form into small meatballs.
- Bake meatballs at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes.
- Warm marinara sauce in a pan.
- Place meatballs in hoagie rolls.
- Spoon marinara sauce over meatballs.
- Top with mozzarella slices.
- Broil sandwiches for 2-3 minutes until cheese melts.
6) Quick Weeknight Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
You can make tasty meatballs fast on busy nights. These meatballs cook quickly and stay tender.
Simple ingredients help you get dinner on the table without fuss. The tomato sauce is easy and flavorful.
It simmers while the meatballs cook, blending the flavors nicely. Serve the meatballs with pasta, rice, or bread for a complete meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
- 1 egg
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Cooking Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Form mixture into small balls.
- Heat olive oil in pan over medium heat.
- Brown meatballs on all sides, about 5 minutes.
- Transfer meatballs to a baking dish and pour tomato sauce over them.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until cooked through.
7) Breakfast Sausage and Beef Meatball Combo
Mix breakfast sausage with ground beef to make tasty meatballs that are a bit different. The breakfast sausage adds extra flavor and spices.
These meatballs are great for breakfast or as a hearty snack. Serve them with eggs, pasta, or in a sandwich.
Mixing the two meats keeps the meatballs juicy and soft. Simple spices like garlic powder and parsley bring out the best taste.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb breakfast sausage
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3/4 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp dried parsley
- 1/8 tsp salt
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
- Shape into 1-inch meatballs and place on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through.
- Serve warm with your favorite sauce or side.
8) Cheesy Stuffed Meatballs
Cheesy stuffed meatballs are a tasty twist on a classic dish. Place a small chunk of mozzarella or your favorite cheese inside each meatball.
When cooked, the cheese melts, giving you a gooey, flavorful center. You can use ground beef, pork, or a mix of both for the meatballs.
Add breadcrumbs and milk to make them tender. Garlic, parsley, and herbs add extra flavor.
Bake them at 375°F (190°C) for about 20 minutes. Serve them with tomato sauce or as a snack.
These meatballs are easy to prepare and a hit with kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef and/or pork
- 1/4 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- 4 ounces mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
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Soak breadcrumbs in milk until soft.
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Mix meat, soaked breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper.
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Take a handful of meat mixture and flatten it.
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Place a mozzarella cube inside and shape into a ball, sealing the cheese inside.
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Place meatballs on a baking sheet.
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Bake for 20 minutes until cooked through and cheese melts.
For more details, check Baked Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs.
9) Herbed Meatballs with Garlic and Parsley
You’ll love these herbed meatballs for their fresh flavors.
Garlic and parsley mix with ground meat to make tasty bites.
The herbs add a mild taste that doesn’t overpower the meat.
These meatballs work great with pasta or on their own.
You can prepare them in the oven or on the stove.
They stay juicy and flavorful.
Mix the herbs evenly for the best result.
Use fresh parsley and minced garlic for more flavor.
Adding Parmesan cheese gives extra richness.
Ingredients
-
1 pound ground beef
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
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1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
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1/3 cup bread crumbs
-
1/4 cup milk
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1 egg
-
Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
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In a bowl, gently combine all ingredients.
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Shape mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs.
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Place meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment.
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Bake for 20-25 minutes until cooked through.
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Serve warm with your favorite sauce or pasta.
10) Slow Cooker Swedish Meatballs
Slow cooker Swedish meatballs are easy to make and taste great. You can use frozen or homemade meatballs.
They cook slowly in a creamy sauce made with sour cream, beef broth, and mushroom soup. This slow cooking makes the meatballs tender and flavorful.
You just need to add the ingredients to the crockpot and let it cook for a few hours. For a richer sauce, stir in some heavy cream and lemon juice near the end.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound frozen or homemade meatballs
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup beef broth
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions:
- Place meatballs in slow cooker.
- Mix mushroom soup and beef broth; pour over meatballs.
- Cook on High for 2 hours or Low for 4-5 hours.
- Stir in sour cream, heavy cream, and lemon juice.
- Cook 15 more minutes on Low.
- Add salt and pepper to taste before serving.