Description
Succulent Italian-style Baked Meatballs blend ground beef, pork, and herbs into a classic comfort dish. Perfectly seasoned spheres of meat provide a delicious meal that satisfies hunger and warms hearts.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground chicken or turkey
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Fresh Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for greasing baking dish)
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 400F (200C) and lightly coat a baking dish with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Combine ground beef, ground chicken, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, diced onion, minced garlic, egg, and milk in a spacious mixing bowl.
- Sprinkle salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and smoked paprika over the meat mixture, then gently fold ingredients together until thoroughly integrated.
- Craft uniform meatballs using hands or a small scoop, aiming for consistent 1½-inch spherical shapes that will cook evenly.
- Arrange the meatballs in the prepared baking dish, ensuring sufficient spacing between each to promote proper heat circulation and browning.
- Roast in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, monitoring until the exterior turns golden brown and the internal temperature reaches a safe 165F.
- Remove from oven and let rest briefly before serving alongside pasta, tucking into sandwiches, or presenting as a delectable appetizer.
Notes
- Use a combination of ground beef and chicken for a leaner, more flavorful meatball that stays moist and tender.
- Gently mix ingredients to avoid overworking the meat, which can make meatballs tough and dense.
- Ensure even sizing by using a small ice cream scoop or weighing each meatball for consistent cooking and presentation.
- For gluten-free option, swap breadcrumbs with almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers to maintain binding and texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 235 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 430 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg