Description
These homemade meatballs are a classic Italian-American favorite, combining ground beef with Parmesan, garlic, and Italian seasoning. They are browned in a skillet and then simmered gently in marinara sauce, resulting in tender, flavorful meatballs perfect for serving over pasta, in sandwiches, or as a tasty appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatball Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup grated onion
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For Cooking
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups marinara sauce
Instructions
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, grated onion, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined to avoid tough meatballs.
- Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into 1.5-inch diameter meatballs and place them on a tray, ready for cooking.
- Brown Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides in batches to ensure even cooking and develop a nice crust.
- Simmer in Sauce: Transfer the browned meatballs into a pot containing marinara sauce. Cover and let them simmer over low heat for 25–30 minutes to cook through and absorb the flavors of the sauce.
- Serve: Serve the meatballs hot over pasta, in sandwiches, or as an appetizer with extra marinara sauce on the side.
Notes
- For extra tenderness, avoid overmixing the meat mixture.
- If you prefer, substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- You can prepare meatballs ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze before cooking.
- Leftover meatballs are excellent reheated and served with a fresh salad.
