Italian-style baked meatballs are a delicious and versatile dish that can be served as a main course with pasta, on a sandwich, or as an appetizer. Here’s a basic recipe to get you started:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef (or a mixture of beef, pork, and/or veal)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Olive oil, for brushing
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, beaten egg, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Mix everything together until well combined.
- Shape the mixture into meatballs, using about 1 to 2 tablespoons of mixture for each meatball, depending on your preferred size. Roll them between your palms to make them smooth and round.
- Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
- Lightly brush the tops of the meatballs with olive oil. This helps them brown nicely in the oven.
- Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until they are cooked through and nicely browned on the outside. You can cut into one to ensure it’s cooked through, especially if you’ve made larger meatballs.
- Once done, remove the meatballs from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.
- Serve the Italian-style baked meatballs with your favorite pasta and marinara sauce, or use them in sandwiches, salads, or as appetizers with toothpicks.
Feel free to adjust the seasonings according to your taste preferences, and you can also add other ingredients like chopped onions or grated carrots for extra flavor and moisture. Enjoy your delicious Italian-style baked meatballs!
