Easy meatballs recipe that's rich in flavor, tender and juicy! Add to your favorite sauce or pasta recipe! Ready in 30 minutes, and a crowd favorite.
Spaghetti and meatballs. This duo is always present in my childhood and I guess every child just love them both.
When it comes to meatballs, the best meatballs I've ever tasted are the ones sold in Ikea! The ever popular Ikea swedish meatballs. I was in Singapore when I very first entered an Ikea store. Their dining is always jam-packed with shoppers and every table has ikea meatballs present.
Today I'm making meatballs, and that’s exciting because no one says no meaty and utterly satisfying browned balls of meat. It may be very far from the Ikea version when it comes to flavor but it's delicious all the same.
Meatballs have been around for thousands of years if you think about it. Grounding some meat and rolling bite-sized balls with your hands is so primitive, and at the same time, intuitive.
Every culture around the world, across all five continents, has some type of meatball. Who would have thought such a comforting meal would be so universal?
Well, today I'm putting together some very tasty and easy to make meatballs. They’re ready in thirty minutes, and the recipe yields around 12 portions, so it’s enough to feed a small crowd.
Ingredients for Easy Meatballs Recipe
For today’s meatballs, I'm using a mixture of ground beef and ground pork. It’s hard to explain, but the combination delivers the most flavor and smoothest texture. You can use just beef or pork, but I invite you to try them together first. For me, it makes all the difference.
Another thing I love about this recipe is that I'm baking these goodies, so they’re not oily or greasy — just juicy and tender. Precisely how meatballs should be, don’t you agree?
I'm combining the ground meat with a splash of milk, diced onions, fresh parsley, parmesan, an egg and coarse breadcrumbs (these last two bring the entire mixture together).
As for the seasonings, you’ll be surprised to see how a little garlic powder and a teaspoon of Italian seasoning can give your meatballs a fragrant, irresistible flavor.
Easy Meatballs Recipe Variations
These pretty meatballs are delicious on their own, but they’re also building blocks for many fun dinner ideas. Here are a few that just popped into my head:
- Mix your meatballs with tomato sauce and serve them over starchy pasta for a classic Italian dinner.
- Sauté the meatballs with teriyaki sauce for instant Chinese-style Char Siu meatballs. Serve these with rice!
- Bathe your meatballs with a sauce made of flour, butter, beef broth and heavy cream with a dash of Worcestershire sauce for some stunning Swedish meatballs. Also, add some mushrooms!
- Place your meatballs in a baking dish with tomato sauce and broil them with lots of cheese on top for a colorful meatball casserole.
With meatballs as lovely as these, the sky’s the limit! And since they’re ready in half an hour, you have plenty of time to turn them into a complete meal and still have time to relax before everyone gathers around the table.
Important Tips on How to Make Easy Meatballs
- Use different kind of meats. Half pork and half beef for example. Also, make sure the meats have a little bit of fats to make your meatballs juicier and tender.
- Chill the meatballs mixture before forming them into balls.
- Oil hands when forming the meatballs or use a dough scooper. Roll them lightly, not too tight or they will end up rubbery and chewy.
- Don't forget the herbs for a much flavorfull meatballs
- Use hands when mixing the ingredients to avoid overmixing them
With an easy meatball recipe up your sleeve, you’ll be able to put together a heartwarming dinner even when you’re in a rush. Meatballs are noble like that.
Get your ingredients ready and preheat that oven because these meatballs are ready faster than you can imagine.
Remember, home cooking is all about being practical, but there’s also lots of room for creativity. Make the most out of your meatballs and cook an awesome meal for your loved ones. Can you taste these juicy meatballs already?
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Easy Meatballs Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup onion minced, finely chopped, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup finely-grated parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire or soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat oven at 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine all ingredients together. Mix lightly with your hand. Don't over mix.
- Oil hands and form meat mixture into balls or use a cookie-scoop (1-2 tablespoon-size).
- Bake for 12-15 minutes. Turn the meatballs halfway through.
- Add to your favorite sauce and serve.
Notes
- Use different kind of meats. Half pork and half beef for example. Also, make sure the meats have a little bit of fats to make your meatballs juicier and tender.
- Chill the meatballs mixture before forming them into balls. (optional)
- Oil hands when forming the meatballs or use a dough scooper. Roll them lightly, not too tight or they will end up rubbery and chewy.
- Don't forget the herbs for a much flavorful meatballs.
- Use hands when mixing the ingredients to avoid overmixing them.
Richard Tunner says
We thought they were excellent! My first time baking meatballs. Delicious!