Easy Baked Meatballs

Easy Baked Meatballs are tender, loaded with flavor, and kid-friendly. Enjoy delicious, protein-packed homemade meatballs that are juicy (no dry meatballs here!) in under an hour using simple ingredients that you know and love. They are a delicious appetizer served with Marinara Sauce, or pair it with some sides for a filling, family dinner.

If you are looking for a quick and easy recipe that is a true fan favorite, then you have found it in these baked meatballs. Plus, they can be customized with different seasoning to switch up the flavors. They also store really well too and are freezer-friendly (both before and after cooking) making them perfect for meal prep throughout the week or for months to come.

Why You'll Love these Baked Meatballs

• Quick and easy. Meatballs are our go to weeknight dinner because they’re so easy to make. This recipe takes under an hour to make — 20 minutes of which are spent in the oven. See our 15 Best Meatball Recipes for more easy favorites.
• Loaded with flavor. These baked meatballs are well-seasoned with a few simple ingredients that pack on the flavor, including onions and garlic. We also share a few ways that you can customize the recipe to create different variations of meatballs.
• Great for meal prep. These easy baked meatballs are perfect for meal prep. They freeze well both before and after baking. If storing after baking, portion them out into meal prep containers along with mashed potatoes (or rice) and veggies which will last for easy to reheat lunches for 3-4 days .

Ingredient Notes

To make these Easy Baked Meatballs, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):

• ground beef - use this recipe for meatballs made with any meat. You can easily wrap out the ground beef for ground chicken, ground turkey, or ground pork.
• onion
• garlic - if you don't fresh garlic on hand, you can use 2 teaspoons of pre-minced garlic for this recipe.
• breadcrumbs - toasted almond flour or a gluten-free breadcrumb blend works for those who have gluten intolerance or allergy.
• parmesan cheese - a similar cheese like Pecorino Romano or asiago can be substituted for the parmesan. If you’re lactose intolerant or sensitive to dairy, then a parmesan-style vegan cheese alternative or nutritional yeast will work in its place instead.
• Worcestershire sauce - if you’re out of Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce or coconut aminos can be a good substitute.
• egg - you can use one tablespoon of ground flaxseed plus three tablespoons of water as a binder in the meatballs instead of egg.
• salt and pepper

Kitchen Tools and Equipment

You will also need measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowl, and quarter sheet baking pan lined with parchment paper. Other useful tools are a meat thermometer for checking for doneness, and disposable gloves for easy clean up after handling raw meat.

How to Make the Best Baked Meatballs

1. Combine ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, Worcestershire sauce, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix well until  evenly combined. Set aside to marinate for 15-20 minutes.

• 

• 

2. Shape meatballs. Take 2 spoonfuls of the beef mixture at a time and use your hands to roll into meatballs. (I recommend using disposable gloves for easy clean up). Transfer the meatballs to a quarter sheet baking pan lined with parchment paper.
3. Bake. Bake in a 375F preheated oven for 18-20 minutes until fully cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165F as read on a meat thermometer. Serve warm.

• 

• 

How to Cook Meatballs in the Air Fryer or Deep Fryer

• In the air fryer: Place the meatballs in a single layer into the air fryer basket and lightly coat with some cooking oil spray to keep them from sticking. Air fry the meatballs at 350F for 13-15 minutes until browned nicely and fully cooked through, gently shaking the basket halfway during cooking to brown evenly. The internal temperature for the beef should reach 165F as read on a meat thermometer. You will have to cook in multiple batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
• In the deep fryer: Cook meatballs in a deep fryer or a deep cooking pot or skillet with high sides. Add cooking oil to fill up the pot with 1-2 inches of oil (enough to submerge the meatballs). Heat the oil over medium heat until it reaches 300F. Use a slotted spoon to add the meatballs in. Deep fry for 5-7 minutes until cooked.

How to Serve

Serve these easy Baked Meatballs as an appetizer with some dipping sauce. Our recommendation sauces are:

• Marinara Sauce
• Tzatziki Sauce
• Ranch Dip
• Sweet and Sour Sauce

Meatballs are also a delicious and filling meal for lunch or dinner paired with some sides. Try it with:

• Rice: Steamed Rice, Coconut Rice, or Vegetarian Fried Rice.
• Mashed potatoes: Creamy Mashed Potatoes, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, or Cheddar Mashed Potatoes.
• Bread: Ciabatta Rolls, French Baguettes, or Potato Dinner Rolls.
• Vegetables: Oven Roasted Vegetables, Mashed Cauliflower, or Sautéed Garlic Mushrooms.

Storage and Freezing Instructions

How to Store

Place leftover baked meatballs in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to four days.

How to Freeze

These meatballs freeze well both before and after baking.

• To freeze uncooked meatballs: Place the shaped meatballs on a large half sheet baking pan lined with parchment paper. Transfer the pan to the freezer and freeze until hard, about 1 hour. Then, transfer the meatballs into a frezer bag or freezer-safe airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. To cook, allow the meatballs to thaw overnight in the refrigerator first, then cook as per recipe instructions in the oven.
• To freeze cooked meatballs: Once cooled, store the meatballs in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Allow it to thaw overnight in the fridge when ready to reheat.

I would recommend separating the meatballs into individual serving sizes or family servings and freeze in freezer bags. This way, you can easily defrost the exact portion that you want.

How to Reheat

Reheat meatballs in a 350F preheated oven for 10 minutes until warmed through, or air fryer for 5 minutes until warmed through. You can also reheat in the microwave until warm.

More Meatball Recipes

• 15 Best Meatball Recipes
• Cranberry Meatballs
• Sticky Honey Garlic Meatballs
• Sesame Chicken Meatballs
• Swedish Meatballs
• Italian Meatballs

Print

Recipe