Easy Italian Meatballs Recipe

Introduction

These easy Italian meatballs are a classic comfort food that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or special gatherings. Made with a flavorful blend of ground beef and Italian sausage, they’re tender, juicy, and packed with herbs and cheese. Whether cooked in a skillet or baked in the oven, they come together quickly and pair perfectly with your favorite marinara sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 pound 80/20 ground beef
• 1 pound mild Italian sausage (casing removed)
• ⅔ cup Italian breadcrumbs
• ⅔ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 2 tablespoons finely minced fresh parsley (plus more for serving)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 garlic cloves (finely minced)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 large eggs (whisked)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided, if cooking in skillet)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F if you plan to bake the meatballs.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, mix the ground beef and Italian sausage until evenly combined.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, parsley, salt, garlic, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).
4. Step 4: Add the breadcrumb mixture and the whisked eggs to the meat mixture. Mix everything together by hand until just combined.
5. Step 5: Using about 1½ tablespoons of the mixture per meatball, roll the mixture into balls with your hands. If your hands get sticky, spritz them with nonstick cooking spray. You should get roughly 36 meatballs.
6. Step 6: To cook in a skillet: heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering. Add half the meatballs and cook, stirring often, for 12-15 minutes until browned on all sides. Transfer to a clean plate and repeat with remaining oil and meatballs.
7. Step 7: To bake in the oven: place the meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet fitted with a wire rack. Bake for 16-18 minutes until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F).
8. Step 8: Serve warm with marinara or your favorite tomato sauce over pasta. Garnish with additional parsley and Parmesan cheese if desired.

Tips & Variations

• For a lighter option, substitute the ground beef with ground turkey or chicken.
• If you prefer a spicier flavor, increase the red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
• Use fresh breadcrumbs instead of Italian breadcrumbs for a softer texture.
• To make meatballs ahead, shape and freeze them raw on a baking sheet, then transfer to a bag. Cook directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

Storage

Store cooked meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm them gently in a skillet over low heat or microwave until heated through. You can also freeze cooked meatballs for up to 3 months; thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use only ground beef instead of mixing with sausage?

Yes, you can use all ground beef if you prefer, but Italian sausage adds extra flavor and moisture to the meatballs.

How do I know when the meatballs are fully cooked?

Meatballs are fully cooked when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F and are no longer pink inside. Baking or skillet-cooking until golden brown and firm usually ensures they are done.

Easy Italian Meatballs Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 130 reviews

• Author: Aiden
• Total Time: 30 to 33 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 36 meatballs 1x

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Description

These Easy Italian Meatballs are a classic homemade recipe combining ground beef and mild Italian sausage with flavorful herbs and Parmesan cheese. Perfectly seasoned and cooked either by skillet or oven-baked, they deliver tender, juicy meatballs that are ideal for serving with marinara sauce and pasta for a comforting Italian meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat Mixture

• 1 pound 80/20 ground beef
• 1 pound mild Italian sausage (casing removed)

Breadcrumb Mixture

• ⅔ cup Italian breadcrumbs
• ⅔ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 2 tablespoons finely minced fresh parsley (plus more for serving)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 garlic cloves (finely minced)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Other

• 2 large eggs (whisked)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided, if cooking in skillet)

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven: If you choose to bake the meatballs, preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) to ensure it reaches the proper temperature for even cooking.
2. Combine meats: In a large bowl, thoroughly mix the ground beef and mild Italian sausage together, ensuring an even blend of flavors and textures.
3. Make meat mixture: In a separate bowl, combine Italian breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, minced parsley, salt, finely minced garlic, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Add this breadcrumb mixture along with the whisked eggs to the meat. Mix everything by hand until fully incorporated but do not overmix to keep the meatballs tender.
4. Shape meatballs: Using a tablespoon measure (about 1 ½ tablespoons of mixture), scoop out the meat mixture and roll it between your palms to form round meatballs. Use nonstick cooking spray on your hands if the mixture sticks. You should end up with roughly 36 meatballs.
5. Cook in skillet: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat until shimmering. Add half of the meatballs, cooking them in batches. Stir often, browning all sides of the meatballs over 12-15 minutes. Once browned and cooked through, transfer them to a clean plate. Repeat with the remaining olive oil and meatballs.
6. Cook in oven: Alternatively, arrange the meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet fitted with a wire rack to allow even heat circulation. Bake for 16-18 minutes or until the meatballs are golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), indicating they are fully cooked.
7. Serve: Once cooked, serve the Italian meatballs with your favorite marinara or tomato sauce over pasta, garnished with extra parsley and freshly grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor and presentation.

Notes

• For best texture, avoid overmixing the meat mixture to keep the meatballs tender.
• You can cook the meatballs either by skillet or baking in the oven depending on your preference or convenience.
• Use a wire rack on the baking sheet when oven baking to ensure even browning all around the meatballs.
• Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to confirm the meatballs are fully cooked (165°F).
• Leftover meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes (skillet) or 18 minutes (oven)
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Italian

Keywords: Italian meatballs, easy meatball recipe, homemade meatballs, ground beef meatballs, Italian sausage meatballs, skillet meatballs, baked meatballs, classic Italian dinner