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Simple Meatball Recipe

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  • Prep 15 min
  • Total 40 min
  • Servings 4
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This meatball recipe is an absolute favorite, and for great reason! All you need is 15 minutes of prep, some basic ingredients, and a foil-lined pan. Tender and perfectly browned, these versatile meatballs pair perfectly with everything from pasta to roasted veggies. They’re also a great source of protein, making them the answer to just about any dinner jam.

Whether you need a recipe for meatballs for spaghetti or you’re planning on slathering them in barbecue sauce, these do-it-all meatballs are sure to satisfy. Lean ground beef, bread crumbs, and other key ingredients help give baked meatballs their round shape and savory taste. Once you’ve mastered this easy meatball recipe, get adventurous with more of Betty’s favorite meatball recipes!

Updated Jul 24, 2024
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Meatball Ingredients

Our simple meatball recipe comes together with the help of key ingredients like ground beef and bread crumbs. Here’s what you need to make these family favorites.

Ground Beef: The protein-rich base of these meatballs, ground beef brings tons of flavor and richness. You’ll want at least 80% lean ground beef for this recipe—this ratio of lean meat to fat is quite common in the grocery store, and it gives you the juiciest, most tender meatballs.

Italian-Style Bread Crumbs: All-important bread crumbs act as a binder, helping to hold the meatballs together while they cook. We use Italian-style breadcrumbs for this easy meatball recipe for extra flavor and texture.

Milk: This dairy product moistens the meatball mixture while bringing just a little creaminess. We typically use whole milk or 2% milk for this recipe.

Worcestershire Sauce: Savory and slightly tangy, this condiment adds flavor to the meatballs.

Salt and Pepper: These essential additions enhance the flavor of the meatballs while adding just a touch of seasoning.

Onion: Finely chopped onion adds even more flavor and texture to the meatballs.

Egg: A single egg adds moisture and richness to the meatball mixture and also helps to bind the meatballs together while they cook.

How to Make Meatballs

This is our simplest and best meatball recipe because it's so versatile and easy—simply mix, shape, and bake your ingredients, and you’re left with delightfully savory meatballs! Serve them as appetizers or as part of the main course. However you present them, they’re sure to be a hit. Here’s a quick breakdown of this simple meatball recipe. Read on for our full ingredients list and step-by-step meatball recipe, complete with handy photos!

Mix Ingredients

Combine ground beef, bread crumbs, milk, salt, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, finely chopped onion, and egg. Mix until well combined to form your meatball mixture.

Shape Meatballs

This is the fun part! Shape your mixture into 24 meatballs and place them 1 inch apart on a foil-lined pan. Spray the pan with cooking spray beforehand to prevent sticking.

Bake Meatballs

All that’s left to do is bake your meatballs in a heated oven for 18 to 22 minutes or until cooked through.

Meatball Variations

It doesn’t get easier than this wonderfully simple meatball recipe. Once you’re ready to jazz up your meals, consider these fun and flavorful variations.

Turkey or Chicken Meatballs: It’s easy to switch up the flavor of your meatballs with different ground meats like ground chicken or ground turkey. Try our recipe for Turkey-Pesto Meatballs to get started, or see our Expert Tips below to learn how

to substitute ground poultry for the ground beef in this Italian meatball recipe.

Glazed Meatballs: Using different glazes and sauces is another fantastic way to enhance the flavor of your meatballs and make them suitable for a variety of different dishes and cuisines. Our Cranberry-Glazed Appetizer Meatballs are a perfect spicy-sweet party appetizer.

Serving Meatballs

These baked meatballs go great with just about anything, making them an excellent option for a number of dishes. Need a little menu inspiration? Here are some ideas for how to serve your meatballs.

Meatballs with Marinara Sauce: It truly doesn’t get more classic and comforting than pasta topped with meatballs and red sauce. Follow this meatball recipe, make our Classic Marinara sauce and serve over your favorite noodles!

Meatballs with White Sauce: A creamy White Sauce is another flavorful option. Drizzle it over your meatballs and pasta or turn it into a next-level mac and cheese dish complete with juicy baked meatballs.

Meatballs on Their Own: These meatballs are tasty enough to stand on their own as an appetizer! Toss them in your favorite barbecue sauce, stick a toothpick in each one, and you’ve got a fancy little treat to offer guests before the big meal. For a different flavor profile, try our pork and beef Appetizer Meatballs.

Storing and Reheating Meatballs

If you have leftover meatballs or are prepping a batch ahead of a special occasion, you can store them in the fridge or freezer. Here’s how to keep your baked meatballs fresh and reheat them so they’re just as tasty as when you originally made them.

Refrigerating Meatballs: Place baked meatballs in a food-storage bag or container and store in the fridge. Your baked meatballs will last in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, remove meatballs from the fridge. Place them in a baking dish and cover with aluminum foil to prevent them from drying out. Bake your meatballs in a 350°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until heated through. Make sure they reach an internal temperature of 160°F to ensure they’re thoroughly reheated and safe to eat.

Freezing Meatballs: To freeze baked meatballs, place cooked and cooled meatballs on an ungreased cookie sheet. Freeze, uncovered, for about 20 minutes or until firm. Transfer partially frozen meatballs to a heavy plastic freezer bag or freezer-safe container and place in the freezer. Your meatballs will last in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, take your frozen meatballs out of the freezer and place them on a baking sheet. Bake them in a 350°F oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until heated through. Ensure your meatballs reach an internal temperature of 160°F before serving.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef
  • 1/2 cup Progresso™ Italian-style Bread Crumbs
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped (1/4 cup)
  • 1 egg
Make With
Progresso Breadcrumbs

Steps

  • 1
    Heat oven to 400°F.
  • 2
    Line 13x9-inch pan with foil; spray with cooking spray.
  • 3
    In large bowl, mix all ingredients.
  • 4
    Shape mixture into 24 (1 1/2-inch) meatballs.
  • 5
    Place 1 inch apart on pan.
  • 6
    Bake uncovered 18 to 22 minutes or until temperature reaches 160°F and no longer pink in center.

Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens

  • tip 1
    If desired, substitute 1 lb lean ground turkey or chicken for the ground beef in this Classic Meatballs recipe. If using ground chicken, decrease milk to 2 tablespoons. Bake until no longer pink in center and thermometer inserted in center reads 165°F.
  • tip 2
    Using a jar of store-bought pasta sauce is one of our favorite dinnertime shortcuts. If you have some time to spare or you’re looking for homemade Sunday gravy or sauce recipes, try out our Easy Make-Ahead Pasta Sauce. Or, try out our hands-off Slow-Cooker Meaty Spaghetti Sauce, made with Italian sausage and mushrooms for an added boost of flavor.
  • tip 3
    Not craving Italian tonight? Change things up by substituting Progresso™ Plain Bread Crumbs for the Progresso™ Italian-style Bread Crumbs; then add your favorite barbecue or Asian-inspired sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Should I Bake My Meatballs

For this easy meatball recipe, meatballs should be baked for 18 to 22 minutes in a 400°F oven. When shaping your meatballs, try to form them to be uniform in shape and size. This will ensure they bake evenly and brown beautifully.

How Do I Know When My Meatballs are Done

Perfectly cooked meatballs are evenly browned and no longer pink in the center. To ensure your meatballs are thoroughly cooked and ready to come out of the oven, you can use a meat thermometer to check that their internal temperature has reached 160°F.

Nutrition

280 Calories, 15g Total Fat, 24g Protein, 13g Total Carbohydrate, 3g Sugars

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving
Calories
280
Calories from Fat
140
Total Fat
15g
23%
Saturated Fat
6g
28%
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
125mg
42%
Sodium
480mg
20%
Potassium
280mg
8%
Total Carbohydrate
13g
4%
Dietary Fiber
1g
3%
Sugars
3g
Protein
24g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
2%
2%
Vitamin C
0%
0%
Calcium
6%
6%
Iron
15%
15%
Exchanges:
1 Starch; 0 Fruit; 0 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 0 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choice
1
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

More About This Recipe

  • While the meatballs are baking, create a first-course antipasto platter of meats and cheeses. Then pull together a Caesar salad, warm up garlic bread (right in the oven in which the meatballs are cooking) or steam some fresh vegetables to accompany the meal. When it’s time for dessert, scoop up dishes of Neapolitan ice cream or fruity gelato, and you’ve created your own Italian feast.

    Try even more time-tested recipes and modern new twists from in Betty’s best meatball recipes collection.

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