Baked Italian Meatballs

By Ava MitchellAug 9, 2026

These baked Italian meatballs are a family favorite, known for their savory and cheesy flavor that will make you feel like you're dining in Italy. Made with lean ground beef, they come together quickly, making them perfect for busy weeknights. The meatballs can be enjoyed on their own, or served with pasta sauce over noodles or zucchini noodles for a delicious, well-rounded meal.

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Prep 10 minCook 16 minTotal 26 min4 servings

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400℉.

Line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper and set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine the ground beef, egg, milk, crushed crackers, Parmesan cheese, onion, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Mix until well combined.

Form the mixture into 12 meatballs, using your hands or a cookie scoop into about golf-ball size balls.

Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet.

Bake for 16-20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165℉.

Remove the meatballs from the oven.

Optional: Heat pasta sauce in a skillet over medium heat.

When the meatballs are done baking, transfer them to the skillet with the sauce and gently toss.

Heat through then garnish with chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese.

Serve over noodles or zucchini noodles.

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

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Dinner Italian

Baked Italian Meatballs

Name: Baked Italian Meatballs
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 16 min
Total time: 26 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 lb lean ground beef; 1 large egg; 0.5 cup milk (I use 2%); 0.5 cup crushed crackers (of choice (or breadcrumbs)); 0.33 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese; 0.25 cup fined minced yellow onion; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 0.5 teaspoon fine salt; 0.25 teaspoon black pepper; fresh parsley (for garnish); additional Parmesan cheese (for garnish); pasta sauce (for serving); cooked pasta or zucchini noodles (for serving)

By Ava MitchellAug 9, 2026

0(0)

Prep 10 minCook 16 minTotal 26 min4 servings

Ingredients

Servings4

•1 lb lean ground beef
•1 large egg
•0.5 cup milk (I use 2%)
•0.5 cup crushed crackers (of choice (or breadcrumbs))
•0.33 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
•0.25 cup fined minced yellow onion
•1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
•1 teaspoon garlic powder
•0.5 teaspoon fine salt
•0.25 teaspoon black pepper
•fresh parsley (for garnish)
•additional Parmesan cheese (for garnish)
•pasta sauce (for serving)
•cooked pasta or zucchini noodles (for serving)

Instructions

1
Preheat the oven to 400℉.
2
Line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper and set aside.
3
In a medium bowl, combine the ground beef, egg, milk, crushed crackers, Parmesan cheese, onion, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
4
Mix until well combined.
5
Form the mixture into 12 meatballs, using your hands or a cookie scoop into about golf-ball size balls.
6
Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet.
7
Bake for 16-20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165℉.
8
Remove the meatballs from the oven.
9
Optional: Heat pasta sauce in a skillet over medium heat.
10
When the meatballs are done baking, transfer them to the skillet with the sauce and gently toss.
11
Heat through then garnish with chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese.
12
Serve over noodles or zucchini noodles.
13
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.