Homemade Meatballs are one of those dinner basics that make everything easier, pasta night, subs, appetizers, you name it. This easy meatball recipe bakes up juicy and flavorful with simple pantry ingredients, and the oven does all the work.
What makes this recipe so reliable is the mix of eggs, milk, breadcrumbs, and seasonings that keeps the meatballs tender, not tough. Make them small for parties, bigger for dinner, and pair them with marinara, BBQ sauce, or even a sweet-and-tangy crockpot glaze.
Not only are they an easy dinner recipe, but they can also be served as an appetizer! We also like to use them as a base for Crock Pot Meatballs and Grape Jelly Meatballs.
Why we think you’ll love it:
- Beyond simple! If you don’t mind getting your hands a little dirty, you too can make these meatballs in just minutes.
- They’re a quick dinner idea. From start to finish, these guys can be made in 20 minutes.
- Easy to make ahead and freeze. Make several batches and freeze them so you always have meatballs ready to use in other recipes like Spaghetti, Meatball Soup, or Sweet and Sour Meatballs.
Homemade Meatballs Ingredients
- Ground beef, I use 80/20 (2 pounds): The 80/20 ratio adds enough fat to keep the meatballs juicy and flavorful while they bake. We use 80/20 ground beef. You can also try ground pork, veal, or even Italian sausage, or a combination of 2 different types.
- Eggs (2): Helps bind the mixture together so the meatballs hold their shape and stay tender.
- Milk (1 cup): Soaks into the breadcrumbs and keeps the meatballs moist instead of dry.
- Grated parmesan cheese (2 tablespoons): Adds salty, savory flavor and a little richness throughout the meatballs.
- Plain breadcrumbs (½ cup): Gives structure while keeping the texture soft and helps absorb moisture for that tender bite.
- Garlic powder (1 teaspoon): Adds easy garlic flavor that is evenly distributed through the mixture.
- Onion powder (1 teaspoon): Adds a gentle savory sweetness without needing chopped onion.
- Salt, seasoning salt or garlic salt (1 teaspoon): Enhances flavor, and using seasoned salt or garlic salt gives a little extra built-in seasoning.
- Black pepper (½ teaspoon): Adds mild heat and balances the richness of the beef.
- extra spices: Adds some heat by including chili powder, paprika, or red pepper flakes.
How to Make Easy Meatballs
MIX. Place all ingredients into a large bowl and gently mix with your hands, careful not to over-mix. Just squish it all together a few times to combine.
BAKE. Scoop and divide the meat mixture into desired-size meatballs and place on a lined baking sheet. Using a cookie scoop to make a uniform size.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-14 minutes, depending on the size. Be sure to check for doneness.
SERVE hot or simmer and serve in your favorite marinara sauce. This makes about 50 meatballs!
Crock Pot Directions
- Briefly brown the meatballs in a skillet with a bit of olive oil.
- Place them in the crock pot along with ½ cup of beef broth and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours, or HIGH for 2 hours.
- If cooking in sauce, increase the time to 6-8 hours on LOW or 3-4 hours on HIGH.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Mix gently and stop as soon as everything is combined, over-mixing can make meatballs tough.
- An easy way to form uniform sizes is to use a cookie scoop and gently roll it to smooth out the shape. You can make them any size and adjust the baking time.
- If the mixture feels sticky, lightly oil your hands before rolling to keep it easy.
- We love to make a double batch and freeze some to cook later. You can even bake them directly out of the freezer!
- Check doneness with a thermometer, beef meatballs should reach 160°F in the center.
Homemade Meatball Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef, I use 80/20
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- ½ cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt, seasoning salt or garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets (baking pans will work if you don't have rimmed cookie sheets) with foil and set aside.
- Place all ingredients into a large bowl and gently mix with your hands, careful not to overmix. Just squish it all together a few times to combine.
- Using a cookie scoop or your hands, divide the meat mixture into desired-size meatballs. As long as they are uniform, they can be as large or small as you like.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-14 minutes, depending on the size. Be sure to check for doneness. Serve hot with your favorite sauce.
Notes
- For tender and flavorful meatballs, stick with fattier meats. The most popular meat choice is 80/20 ground beef.
- An easy way to form uniform sizes is to use a cookie scoop and gently roll it to smooth out the shape. You can make them any size and adjust the baking time.
- Make a double batch and freeze some to cook later; you can even bake them directly out of the freezer!
- These meatballs can be used to make saucey meatball appetizers or in a variety of dinner dishes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Form the meatballs the day before and keep them covered in the fridge until baking, or freeze them for up to 3 months. You can thaw them overnight and bake according to recipe directions, or bake straight out of the freezer at 375°F for 25-35 minutes (depending on the size).
Baked meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 2-3 months.
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This recipe was originally published May 2017.
I don’t have a cookie scoop. Would a tablespoon work?
Absolutely! I’d do a heaping tablespoon.
Delicious, and my whole family loves!
Love this recipe though looking at pictures of the meat mixture mine looks like there’s too much milk. I followed the recipe exactly. But it looks as if there’s nit enough hamburger itself though I used 2 pounds
Hmmm… hopefully they still turned out alright! I’m not sure if the type of ground beef (fat percentage) may have made a difference? Fingers crossed they still worked for you!
Can you use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Absolutely!!
Easiest recipe I have ever used, and they are absolutely delicious. Thank you
You are very welcome! Thank you for trying them & letting me know!
Simple to make and delicious.
Glad you think so 🙂 Thank you for letting me know what you thought!
This is a keeper! These meatballs were full of flavor and super easy.
Glad you think so 🙂 Thank you for trying them!
I made these tonight and they turned out awesome. Thank you for the great recipe. I’ll be adding this into our regular menu rotation!
Happy to hear that! Thank you for trying them!
These are so easy to make. They are my go to when my GRANDKIDS ask for “sketti”. They love to help and this is a perfect recipe to teAch.
Cute! I am so glad they love helping! Thank you for letting me know!
I have never made meet balls but this recipe seemed easy enough. Well, this recipe was extraordinary❣ Better than most meet balls I’ve ever had❣ Thank you❣
Awe, I am so glad!! Thank you for letting me know that!