The Best Classic Italian Meatballs

This recipe for The Best Classic Italian Meatballs will become your new go to meatball recipe. Looking for an easy but delicious meatball recipe? Then you will love my take on this classic recipe!

The Best Classic Italian Meatballs is a recipe that I have been making for so long that I just never think of sharing them here on the blog. I make big batches of meatballs almost monthly and the recipe has just become second nature to me. After making a batch last month, I realized that this would be the perfect recipe to share! They are truly the best and easiest meatballs!  I hope they become your go to recipe, as well!

There are just some basic recipes that makes life so much easier when you have them in your arsenal. You need at least one killer soup recipe (nothing beats my Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Soup!), a basic meat marinade, a go-to pasta sauce (try this easy weeknight Marinara), and of course, a classic Italian meatball recipe. While those frozen meatballs from the store are convenient, they just don’t taste great or have the best texture, and they are expensive! I wanted to buy a big bag one day to save time before a party, and I couldn’t believe the cost! $15 dollars? No way…give me a pound of ground beef and I can make something much more delicious for so much less!

Growing up, we had pasta all the time and it was always my favorite dinner of the week. We had pasta with my mom’s delicious spaghetti sauce so often and it was always so good!  I think most families love pasta night and kids always love meatballs! Even our baby is a big meatball fan, and she’s only seven months old! While I love the classic taste of spaghetti and meatballs, we have been loving shredded brussel sprouts with bacon and rigatoni  lately, too! There is just so much you can do with a bowl of spaghetti, and topping it with these classic Italian meatballs is definitely one of the most delicious methods!

I always simmer my meatballs in the sauce after baking and while this step isn’t necessary, I really recommend it. The sauce imparts so much delicious flavor into the meat. If you are skipping the sauce simmer, I would add 3 minutes to the cook time in the oven. These meatballs freeze well, so it is a great idea to double or triple this recipe and freeze a bag for later! You will never want to go back to those store bought frozen meatballs again!

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The Best Classic Italian Meatballs

This recipe for the best classic Italian meatballs will become your new go to meatball recipe! Tender and full of flavor, this recipe cannot be any more delicious or easy!

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Keyword Classic Beef Meatballs

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Servings 15 meatballs

Author Amanda @ Old House to New Home

Ingredients

Meatball Ingredients

• 1 lb 90/10 ground beef
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/4. tsp. pepper

For the sauce and serving

• 32 oz your favorite tomato sauce
• parmesan cheese optional
• fresh basil optional

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and spray a baking sheet with sides with non-stick spray.
2. Add all meatball ingredients to a mixing bowl. Mix with your hands until all ingredients are incorporated.
3. Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, scoop heaping tablespoons of the meat mixture and roll into balls. Place on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. 

4. While meatballs cook, add your sauce to a sauce pan and begin to heat over medium heat. 

5. Remove meatballs from oven and add to your sauce. Let simmer on low for at least 1 hour or until it is time to serve. Garnish with parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired. 

Recipe Notes

Meatballs can be frozen after the oven bake time in a sealed container, for up to 3 months. 

This recipe originally appeared on The Melrose Family