Italian Baked Meatballs are made with two types of ground meat and Italian seasoning for big flavor! It’s an easy homemade meatballs recipe that cooks in 20 minutes. Loads of ways to use them and different ways to freeze them too!
We think these are the best baked meatballs! The mixture of meats, fresh herbs and seasonings, parmesan cheese really make the easy baked meatball recipe a family favorite. They are moist and flavorful Italian meatballs.
If you thought making meatballs at home is difficult, you’ll love this easy baked meatballs recipe.
Oven-baked meatballs are delicious and a recipe the whole family will love. It’s a simple recipe with so many ways to enjoy the baked Italian meatballs fresh out of the oven or leftover meatballs.
Want to try other types of meatballs too? Try our Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Meatballs, Thai Chicken Meatballs, Mini Taco Meatballs {appetizer}, Turkey Meatballs or Easy Sticky Asian Meatballs.
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Recipe Ingredients + Notes
Ground Beef. Use 80% lean ground beef. Fat equals flavor and helps keep the meatballs from drying out. This isn’t the time to use ultra lean ground. AND if you are concerned about fat, use cooking method 1 so the fat renders and drains away.
Bulk Mild Italian Sausage. Adding Italian sausage gives these meatballs so much more flavor and keeps them moist.
Use ground or ‘bulk’ sausage, not slicing sausage. If you cannot buy the sausage in bulk, buy uncooked Italian sausages and removed the casings to use the meat.
Bread crumbs. Breadcrumbs along with the eggs bind the meat mixture together. Store bought or homemade breadcrumbs may be used. Regular OR gluten-free breadcrumbs can be used. We used plain bread crumbs though Italian bread crumbs could also be used to add more Italian flavor.
Milk. I recommend whole milk.
Eggs. You’ll need three large eggs.
Garlic cloves. We love the flavor fresh garlic adds to the baked meatballs instead of using garlic powder.
Grated Parmesan Cheese. Use fresh shredded Parmesan cheese found in the dairy department versus the finely grated powdery consistency cheese. Grate the cheese yourself from a block for better melting results. Pre-shredded cheese (in bags) has an anti-caking agent added so it won’t stick to itself but this impacts melting.
Italian parsley. Fresh parsley adds delicious flavor to this easy meatball recipe.
Italian Seasoning. All the favorite Italian spices in one blend. Try our homemade Italian Seasoning blend!
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes. This gives a little boost to the flavor without making the meatballs spicy.
Salt. I use Kosher Salt which is a less salty tasting salt.
How to make Baked Meatballs – Step-by-Step
It’s so easy to make these meatballs in the oven! We have two different cooking methods to choose from. Both work great.
STEP 1. Preparation
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Prepare a rimmed baking sheet pan. Fit it with a wire rack (cooking method 1) or lined with parchment paper (cooking method 2).
STEP 2. Make the meatball mixture
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl (photos 1-3). Using a mixing spoon or clean hands, mix everything together (photo 4).
STEP 3. Roll and Bake Meatballs
Roll meatball mixture into 2-inch meatballs (photo 5).
Place the formed meatballs on the wire rack (method 1) or directly onto the prepared baking sheet (method 2).
Bake the meatballs for 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F (photo 6).
Refer to the Two Ways to Cook Them section below. Cooking method 2 shown below.
Two Ways to Cook Italian Meatballs
There are two ways to bake meatballs.
Method 1 (recommended): Wire rack method
Fit a rimmed baking sheet with a wire rack sprayed with non-stick spray.
This allows air to circulate all around the meatball as it cooks. Any rendered fat will drip into the baking sheet below and the meatball will not sit in it. Lining the baking sheet with foil makes for fast, easy clean-up too!
Method 2: baking sheet method
They can be baked on a parchment paper lined rimmed baking sheet. This works well too however the meatballs will bake in any rendered fat.
Pro Tip
Use a cookie scoop. Using a scoop ensures the size of the meatballs will all be the same so they will bake evenly in the same amount of time.
How to Use Baked Meatballs
- In spaghetti sauce or homemade marinara sauce with cooked pasta
- In sandwiches on a bun with some sauce for meatball subs
- On top of Mashed Potatoes or rice
How to Store
Store in an airtight container container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. See below for freezing options.
How to Freeze the Meatballs
A big convenience is making these meatballs for future use. They can be cooked then frozen. OR frozen before cooking too!
Cooked Meatballs
Freezing Cooked Meatballs
- Prepare meatballs as directed and allow to fully cool after cooking.
- Place meatballs on a parchment lined rimmed baking sheet with an inch minimum in between each one.
- Place in the freeze to freeze until firm; aproximately 2 hours.
- Put the frozen meatballs into a freezer bag marked with the date.
Reheating Frozen Cooked Meatballs
- Remove as needed and microwave for 1-2 minutes until heated through.
Uncooked Meatballs
Freezing Meatballs BEFORE Cooking
- Prepare the meatballs but do not cook.
- Place on a parchment lined rimmed baking sheet with one inch in between each one.
- Place in the freezer until firm; approximately 1-2 hours.
- Put the frozen meatballs in a freezer-safe container or plastic bag marked with the date. Put back in the freezer until using.
Cooking Frozen (Uncooked) Meatballs
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or with a rack as described in the recipe card. Add frozen uncooked meatballs.
- Bake the meatballs for 30 minutes or until the inside if no longer pink and temperature reaches 160 degrees F.
Frequently Asked Questions
Up to 4 months.
More Recipes You’ll Love!
- Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
- Thai Chicken Meatballs
- Mini Taco Meatballs {appetizer}
- Halloween Turkey Meatballs
- Easy Sticky Asian Meatballs recipe
Recipe
Baked Italian Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds ground Beef
- 1 pound ground mild Italian Sausage bulk or casings removed
- 1 cup Breadcrumbs (regular or gluten-free)
- ½ cup Milk
- 3 Eggs
- ½ cup fresh shredded Parmesan Cheese
- ¼ cup chopped Italian Parsley
- 2 cloves minced Garlic
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine all ingredients. Mix thoroughly together using clean hands or a mixing spoon.1 ½ pounds ground Beef, 1 pound ground mild Italian Sausage, 1 cup Breadcrumbs (regular or gluten-free), ½ cup Milk, 3 Eggs, ½ cup fresh shredded Parmesan Cheese, ¼ cup chopped Italian Parsley, 2 cloves minced Garlic, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon Salt, ¼ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- Shape into 2-inch diameter meatballs. TIP: using a 2 tablespoon scoop makes it go very quickly.
- Use one of these two methods:1. Recommended: Place a baking/cooling rack into a rimmed baking sheet (or two). Spray lightly with non-stick spray. Place the formed meatballs on the rack for baking. NOTE: the baking sheet can be lined with foil for easy clean up.2. Line a rimmed baking sheet (or two) with parchment paper. Place the formed meatballs onto the parchment paper for baking.
- Cook at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until internal temperature measures 160 degrees.
Notes
Cooked Meatballs
Freezing Cooked Meatballs
- Prepare meatballs as directed and allow to fully cool after cooking.
- Place meatballs on a parchment lined rimmed baking sheet with an inch minimum in between each one.
- Place in the freeze to freeze until firm; aproximately 2 hours.
- Put the frozen meatballs into a freezer bag marked with the date.
Reheating Frozen Cooked Meatballs
- Remove as needed and microwave for 1-2 minutes until heated through.
Uncooked Meatballs
Freezing Meatballs BEFORE Cooking
- Prepare the meatballs but do not cook.
- Place on a parchment lined rimmed baking sheet with one inch in between each one.
- Place in the freezer until firm; approximately 1-2 hours.
- Put the frozen meatballs in a freezer-safe container or plastic bag marked with the date. Put back in the freezer until using.
Cooking Frozen (Uncooked) Meatballs
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or with a rack as described in the recipe card. Add frozen uncooked meatballs.
- Bake the meatballs for 30 minutes or until the inside if no longer pink and temperature reaches 160 degrees F.
Nutrition
Originally published: August 23, 2020
Florence Jensen says
Glad I found your blog! Your recipes do not disappoint, and I share your cooking philosophy—good tasting food in a reasonable amount of time. That said, this meatball recipe is the best, with Italian sausage being the magic ingredient. My family loves them, and I do, too! I am no longer on a quest to find a better one. Thank you!
Toni Dash says
This makes me very happy to hear Florence. Thank you for your time in leaving your comment.
Florence Jensen says
Glad I found your blog! Your recipes do not disappoint, and I share your cooking philosophy—good tasting food in a reasonable amount of time. That said, this meatball recipe is the best, with Italian sausage being the magic ingredient. My family loves them, and I do, too! I am no longer on a quest to find a better one. Thank you!
Stephen says
So easy and incredibly delicious. I’ll be making these again (and again and again). Thanks for sharing!
Cathy says
The Italian Sausage makes such a delicious difference!
Sandra | A Dash of Sanity says
This is SO good!! Made it last night and everyone loved it! Thanks!
wilhelmina says
We all love these meatballs! So dang easy and delicious, they make a great family meal!
Beti | easyweeknightrecipes says
Such a great meatball recipe! I am so excited to try these!