Meatballs are quick to make with ground beef, onion, breadcrumbs, and seasonings. These can be baked right away or prepped in batches and frozen for easy weeknight meals.
Ingredients in Meatballs
Meat: I love a combination of beef and pork but this recipe works well with just ground beef too. You can also add veal, lamb, or lean Italian sausage. Egg: This helps bind the meatballs. Breadcrumbs: Seasoned bread crumbs add flavor and keep the meatballs moist with a tender texture. Milk: Milk adds moisture. Onion: Adds flavor, it can be replaced with ½ teaspoon onion powder. Seasonings: Italian seasoning and Parmesan cheese add flavor, but feel free to change the seasonings or add fresh herbs to match the other flavors in your meal.
How to Make Meatballs
This easy meatball recipe is quick to prepare.
Holly’s Tips for Perfect Meatballs
Do Not Overmix: When combining the ingredients, do not overmix as overmixing can make the meat dense and tough. Size Matters: Ensure the meatballs are the same size so they cook evenly; a cookie scoop makes this job easy. Don’t be Lean: Ensure you choose lean meat (80/20) and not extra lean. A little bit of fat keeps meatballs tender and juicy. If you’re using extra lean meat, add a tablespoon of olive oil or ¼ cup chopped raw bacon. Season and Flavor: This recipe is seasoned with Italian-style flavors. Replace the Italian flavors based on how you’re serving them – try ginger and garlic for a sweet and sour sauce.
How to Freeze Meatballs
These meatballs can be prepared and frozen, either raw or baked. To freeze before baking: Place meatballs on a parchment lined baking sheet and freeze. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag and store up to 4 months. To bake raw meatballs from frozen, add 6 to 10 minutes to the cooking time or until they reach 160°F with an instant read thermometer. To freeze after baking: Once cooked and cooled, place them on a baking sheet and freeze. Once frozen, transfer to a plastic freezer bag and keep them frozen for up to 4 months. Meatballs can be thawed in the fridge overnight or by simmering in tomato sauce until heated through. Did your family love these easy meatballs? Leave us a rating and a comment below! © SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
