If you’re craving a comforting, crowd-pleasing dish that’s both simple and packed with flavor, this Easy Italian Meatballs Recipe is exactly what you need in your kitchen rotation. Combining juicy ground beef and savory Italian sausage, these meatballs are perfectly seasoned with herbs, garlic, and Parmesan, creating the ideal balance of texture and taste that melts in your mouth. Whether you bake or pan-fry them, this recipe guarantees tender, flavorful meatballs that can be served over pasta, in sandwiches, or enjoyed on their own. Get ready to impress your family and friends with a true Italian classic made effortlessly at home!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering these straightforward but essential ingredients is the first step to crafting authentic, satisfying meatballs. Each item plays a vital role—from the ground meats providing richness to the herbs and seasonings adding vibrant flavor and color to every bite.
- 1 pound 80/20 ground beef: Offers juicy, beefy flavor and moisture for tender meatballs.
- 1 pound mild Italian sausage (casing removed): Adds robust seasoning and a bit of fat for extra richness.
- â…” cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs: Helps bind the mixture and keeps meatballs light and fluffy.
- â…” cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving): Brings a salty, nutty depth that enhances every savory bite.
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning: A fragrant blend of herbs that adds that unmistakable Italian flair.
- 2 tablespoons finely minced fresh parsley (plus more for serving): Introduces fresh greenery and a subtle brightness.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Balances and elevates all the other flavors beautifully.
- 2 garlic cloves (finely minced): Imparts that signature aromatic punch essential to Italian cooking.
- ½ teaspoon black pepper: Adds gentle heat and depth.
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional): Gives a little kick if you like a hint of spice.
- 2 large eggs (whisked): Acts as a binder to hold the meatballs together perfectly.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided, if cooking in skillet): Used to brown meatballs beautifully and keep them moist.
How to Make Easy Italian Meatballs Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Oven or Prepare Your Skillet
If you’re baking the meatballs, start by preheating your oven to 400°F to ensure it’s hot and ready to cook the meatballs evenly and lock in their juices. If you prefer skillet cooking, have your olive oil at the ready for that perfect golden crust on your stovetop.
Step 2: Combine the Meats
In a large bowl, mix the ground beef and the mild Italian sausage together thoroughly. This blend gives your meatballs a wonderful depth of flavor and moist texture that’s hard to beat.
Step 3: Prepare the Seasoning Mixture
In a separate bowl, whisk together the Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, finely minced parsley, salt, garlic, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. This seasoning mix is the heart of the recipe, infusing every meatball with layers of taste.
Step 4: Combine and Bind
Add the breadcrumb mixture and whisked eggs into the bowl with the meats. Using your hands, mix everything gently but thoroughly until all ingredients are just combined. This careful mix preserves the tenderness while ensuring every meatball stays intact when cooked.
Step 5: Shape the Meatballs
Scoop about 1 ½ tablespoons of the mixture each time and roll it between your palms to form evenly sized balls. Spritz your hands with a little nonstick cooking spray if the mixture gets sticky. You should wind up with roughly 36 meatballs ready for cooking.
Step 6: Cook Your Meatballs
For skillet cooking: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add half the meatballs and cook, stirring often, until browned on all sides, about 12-15 minutes. Remove to a plate and repeat with remaining oil and meatballs.
For baking: Place meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet with a wire rack to keep them crisp all around. Bake for 16-18 minutes until golden and cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F.
How to Serve Easy Italian Meatballs Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan and some chopped fresh parsley instantly lift these meatballs from everyday to extraordinary. These little final touches add color and a fresh herbal note that beautifully complements the richness.
Side Dishes
Classic spaghetti with your favorite marinara sauce is a perfect partner to these meatballs. For something lighter, serve alongside a vibrant arugula salad tossed in lemon vinaigrette or some roasted seasonal vegetables to round out the meal deliciously.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stuffing these meatballs into crusty Italian rolls for a hearty meatball sub, topped with melted provolone cheese. Or, serve as appetizers on cocktail picks with a side of tangy marinara for dipping—guaranteed to be a hit at parties or family gatherings!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any cooked meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They’re perfect for quick lunches or to toss into soups and pasta dishes for a speedy dinner fix.
Freezing
You can freeze cooked or raw meatballs on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer them to freezer bags or containers. Frozen meatballs stay delicious for up to 3 months, making it easy to enjoy this Easy Italian Meatballs Recipe whenever the craving strikes.
Reheating
Reheat meatballs gently in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, or microwave them covered with a damp paper towel to maintain moisture. Add a fresh splash of sauce when reheating to revive that just-cooked flavor.
FAQs
Can I use all beef instead of beef and sausage?
Absolutely! Using all ground beef is fine though sausage adds extra seasoning and fat which keep the meatballs juicier and more flavorful. If you go all beef, consider adding a bit more Italian seasoning or herbs to boost the flavor.
Are these meatballs gluten-free?
The classic recipe uses Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, which typically contain gluten. To make it gluten-free, substitute with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers, and be sure to check all seasoning labels.
Can I bake and then brown the meatballs in a skillet?
Yes! Baking first cooks the meatballs completely and frying them afterward adds a gorgeous crispy exterior. This two-step method can help speed up the process while giving you great texture.
What can I serve these meatballs with besides pasta?
These meatballs are incredibly versatile—you can serve them over creamy polenta, inside a sandwich roll, alongside roasted vegetables, or even atop a fresh green salad.
How do I make these meatballs spicy?
To increase the heat, simply add more red pepper flakes or finely chopped fresh chili peppers to the seasoning mix. You can also serve with a spicy arrabbiata sauce for an extra kick.
Final Thoughts
Bringing this Easy Italian Meatballs Recipe to your kitchen will fill your home with irresistible aromas and your plate with pure comfort. These meatballs are a fantastic go-to for busy weeknights or special gatherings because they’re easy to make, endlessly adaptable, and loved by all ages. Give this recipe a try—you’ll find yourself coming back to it again and again!
Print
Easy Italian Meatballs Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 36 meatballs (6 servings)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This easy Italian meatballs recipe combines ground beef and mild Italian sausage with classic Italian seasonings, Parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley to create flavorful and tender meatballs. You can choose to bake them in the oven or cook them in a skillet until golden brown. Perfect served with marinara sauce over pasta or enjoyed on their own.
Ingredients
Meat Mixture
- 1 pound 80/20 ground beef
- 1 pound mild Italian sausage (casing removed)
Dry Ingredients
- â…” cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- â…” cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons finely minced fresh parsley (plus more for serving)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 garlic cloves (finely minced)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large eggs (whisked)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided, if cooking in skillet)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: If you choose to bake the meatballs, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking.
- Combine Meats: In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef and mild Italian sausage until evenly combined.
- Make Meat Mixture: In a separate bowl, combine the Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, finely minced fresh parsley, salt, minced garlic, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Add this breadcrumb mixture along with the whisked eggs to the combined meats. Mix everything thoroughly by hand until well incorporated.
- Shape Meatballs: Using about 1½ tablespoons of the mixture per meatball, shape the mixture into roughly 36 equal-sized meatballs. To avoid sticking, spritz your hands lightly with nonstick cooking spray while rolling.
- Cook in Skillet (Optional): Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat until shimmering. Add half of the meatballs, stirring often to brown them evenly on all sides for 12-15 minutes. Transfer cooked meatballs to a clean plate and repeat with the remaining olive oil and meatballs.
- Bake in Oven (Optional): Place the shaped meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet fitted with a wire rack. Bake for 16-18 minutes, or until they are golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) indicating they are fully cooked.
- Serve: Serve your meatballs hot with your favorite marinara or tomato sauce, sprinkled with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. They pair wonderfully over pasta or as a delicious appetizer.
Notes
- You can cook the meatballs either in a skillet or bake them in the oven depending on your preference and time.
- Using a wire rack on the baking sheet helps the meatballs cook evenly and the bottoms stay crispy in the oven.
- If the mixture feels too sticky or wet, add a little more breadcrumbs to help bind it.
- Make sure to cook the meatballs to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure they are safe to eat.
- For a spicier kick, increase the red pepper flakes or add other spices such as crushed fennel seeds.
- Leftover cooked meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
