Substitute dry herbs.
You can use dry herbs and spices in place of the fresh parsley, rosemary and basil if needed. Use the following measurements for this baked meatball recipe:
1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning for the fresh herbs
One teaspoon garlic powder for the fresh garlic cloves
1 teaspoon onion powder for the grated onion
ground beef breadcrumbs egg milk and seasonings in mixing bowl
Use a scoop to portion your meatball mixture.
Not only does this guarantee uniform-size meatballs, but it also ensures that they cook evenly. Plus, handling them less helps to prevent dry meatballs.
Oil your hands.
If you lightly coat your hands with olive oil or cooking spray before rolling the meatballs, they will form better and crack less.
Bake meatballs on parchment paper. It makes for even cooking and easy cleanup, not to mention juicy meatballs!
rolling meatball mixture between hands
Baked Meatball Recipe FAQ
How long does it take to cook meatballs in the oven?
Depending on the oven temperature and size of the meatballs, they cook in about 20-25 minutes. For our baked meatball recipe we use a temperature of 375°F so they cook faster and each meatball is perfectly browned.
You can check the internal temperature of your meat with an instant-read thermometer. Ground beef is cooked when it reaches an internal temp of 155°F.
Should you cover meatballs with foil when baking?
We recommend leaving the pan uncovered. Covering the meatballs causes steam to form, which prevents the deliciously crisp exterior that you get with direct heat from the oven.
Covering them with foil can help when reheating, but you will still want to remove it during the last few minutes of cook time in the oven.
How do you keep meatballs moist when baking?
The key is in the preparation! Make sure to handle the meat mixture as little as possible and mix the ingredients just until combined.
Binders like egg and bread crumbs help to hold in the moisture and keeps each meatball tender and moist.
Can I substitute any other meat?
I love making this recipe with half ground pork and half lean ground beef, but there are so many other options. You could use Italian sausage, ground chicken or even ground turkey but keep an eye on your fat content.
italian meatballs on baking sheet, before baking
Prep Ahead Instructions
To help dinner come together even faster, prep all of your ingredients in the morning and combine them when you get home.
You can also shape meatballs up to a day ahead of time and store them covered in the refrigerator. Or, freeze a batch or two for a quick and easy meal.
oven baked meatballs cooking on sheet pan
How To Store Oven Baked Meatballs
Allow leftover meatballs (if you have any) to cool before transferring them to an airtight container. These baked Italian meatballs will keep for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. But mine never last that long. They have such great flavor that we can’s help eating them for every meal until they are gone.
Reheat meatballs in the oven for about 15 minutes at 350°F or in the microwave until warmed through.
You can also make a few batches of this baked meatball recipe and freeze them for a later meal!
Oven baked meatballs can be frozen raw or cooked, depending on your preference.
To freeze raw meatballs: Arrange the homemade meatballs in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet. Flash freeze them for 1 hour, until firm, then store in a freezer bag or airtight container.
To freeze baked meatballs: Once cooled, divide into meal-sized portions and place each batch in a freezer-safe storage bag.
You can also flash freeze them and store them all together. This way, they won’t stick together so you can grab as many (or as few) as you need next time!
No need to thaw — you can cook meatballs in the oven from frozen! Arrange on a sheet pan and bake or simmer in sauce on the stove until warmed through.
These really are our favorite meatballs. Truly the best daggum meatballs ever. I hope you love them as much as we do.
meatball appetizers in bowl
Enjoy!
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