Ingredients
Meatball Mixture
- 1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
- 2/3 cup milk
- 1 lb ground beef (or your choice of meat)
- 1/4 medium onion (finely diced or grated)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 large egg (beaten)
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese (preferably Parmigiano-Reggiano)
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried parsley)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or a baking mat for easy cleanup.
- Soak Bread Crumbs: In a large mixing bowl, combine Italian bread crumbs with milk. Stir them together and let this mixture soak for at least 5 minutes. This step helps keep the meatballs moist.
- Mix Ingredients: Add the ground beef, finely diced onion, minced garlic, beaten egg, salt, black pepper, grated parmesan cheese, and parsley to the soaked bread crumbs. Using your hands, gently mix everything just until combined to avoid overworking the meat, which can make the meatballs tough.
- Shape Meatballs: Portion the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet using a cookie or ice cream scoop for uniform size. Wet your hands with water to prevent sticking and roll each portion into approximately 2-inch diameter balls.
- Bake Meatballs: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the meatballs for 18 to 20 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Once baked, remove them from the oven and drain off any excess fat.
- Serve: Serve the meatballs warm with your favorite sauce, such as marinara or pasta sauce, for a complete meal.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the meatballs reach the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Do not overmix the meat mixture to keep the meatballs tender.
- Soaking the bread crumbs in milk prevents dry meatballs and adds moisture.
- Feel free to substitute ground beef with ground turkey or a blend of meats for different flavors.
- For extra flavor, add Italian seasoning or red pepper flakes according to taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian