Classic Baked Meatballs

Name: Classic Baked Meatballs
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 lb 80/20 ground beef; 1/2 lb ground pork; 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs; 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated; 1/4 cup whole milk; 1 large egg, beaten; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped; 1 tsp kosher salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper, ground; 3 cups marinara sauce

Tender ground beef and pork meatballs baked to perfection and simmered in savory marinara sauce. Ideal for serving over pasta or inside a toasted sub roll.

50 minEasyServes 4480 cal/serving

Italian-AmericanDinnerOven and StovetopHigh ProteinLow CarbNut-FreeShellfish-FreeSesame-FreeAlcohol-FreeCorn-Free

Ingredients

1 lb 80/20 ground beef
1/2 lb ground pork
1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1/4 cup whole milk
1 large egg, beaten
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper, ground
3 cups marinara sauce

Instructions

1

Preheat oven to 400F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2

In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs and 1/4 cup whole milk, letting the mixture sit for 5 minutes.
3

In a large bowl, gently combine 1 lb 80/20 ground beef, 1/2 lb ground pork, the breadcrumb mixture, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 beaten large egg, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 1 tsp kosher salt, and 1/2 tsp ground black pepper until uniform.
4

Roll the mixture into 16 equal meatballs and arrange them spaced apart on the prepared baking sheet.
5

Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until browned and an internal temperature check reaches 165F.
6

Heat 3 cups marinara sauce in a saucepan over medium heat, add the cooked meatballs, and simmer for 10 minutes before serving.

Questions

Can I make Classic Baked Meatballs dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in this entry is 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, 1/4 cup whole milk. Swap the cheese for a plant-based melting cheese (expect a milder flavor); the milk for unsweetened oat or soy milk. The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Can I make Classic Baked Meatballs gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs. Swap the bread or crumbs for a gluten-free loaf or gluten-free panko. Everything else proceeds as written.

How long does Classic Baked Meatballs keep?

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Reheat covered in a 300 F oven until warmed through.

Can I halve or double Classic Baked Meatballs?

Yes. As written it serves 4. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. Doubled, split it across two pans and rotate them halfway; one crowded pan bakes unevenly.

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