Classic Homemade Meatballs
Make delicious homemade meatballs with our classic recipe featuring beef, pork, Parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs. Perfect for pasta or sandwiches.
Equipment
- large mixing bowl
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- knife
- cutting board
- rimmed baking sheet
- cookie scoop
- large skillet
- oven
- instant-read thermometer
Ingredients
Meatball Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper freshly ground
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For Serving
- 2 cups marinara sauce
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the milk and breadcrumbs, stirring until the breadcrumbs have fully absorbed the milk and the mixture looks pasty.
- Add the ground beef, ground pork, beaten egg, Parmesan cheese, parsley, minced garlic, salt, and pepper to the breadcrumb mixture. Use your hands to gently mix until all ingredients are just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
- Using a 1 1/2-tablespoon cookie scoop or your hands, form the meat mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls, rolling them gently between your palms until smooth. You should have approximately 24 meatballs.
- Arrange the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not touching. Drizzle the olive oil evenly over the top of each meatball.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through, firm to the touch, and browned on the outside. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of a meatball should read 165°F (74°C).
- Warm the marinara sauce in a large skillet over medium heat. Gently transfer the cooked meatballs to the skillet and simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving.
Notes
Do not overwork the meat mixture for tender meatballs. An instant-read thermometer ensures they are perfectly cooked.