Gentle Simmer

Tag: oven meatballs

  • Baked Meatballs: Hands-Off, No-Flip, Perfect Every Time

    Baked Meatballs: Hands-Off, No-Flip, Perfect Every Time

    Pan-frying meatballs means constant turning, uneven browning, and grease everywhere. Baking solves all of it.

    These meatballs go into the oven and come out perfectly browned, tender, and ready for sauce, subs, or spaghetti. No flipping. No mess. Just meatball magic.

    Ingredients

    Makes about 20 meatballs.

    • 1 lb (450g) ground beef (80/20 is best)
    • ½ lb (225g) ground pork (or all beef, but pork keeps them juicy)
    • ½ cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
    • ⅓ cup milk
    • 1 large egg
    • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    Step 1: Prep the Oven and Pan

    1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
    2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil (spray foil with oil so they don’t stick).

    Step 2: Make the Panade (The Juicy Secret)

    1. In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs and milk. Let sit for 5 minutes until pasty.
    2. This panade keeps meatballs tender, not dense.

    Step 3: Mix Everything

    1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, panade, egg, Parmesan, garlic, salt, pepper, and oregano.
    2. Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Overmixing = tough meatballs.

    Step 4: Roll and Bake

    1. Roll mixture into 1.5-inch balls (about 2 tablespoons each).
    2. Place on baking sheet with a little space between them.
    3. Bake for 18-20 minutes until browned and cooked through (internal temp 165°F).

    Step 5: Serve or Sauce

    1. Add directly to marinara sauce, pile onto subs, or eat them plain like a gremlin. No judgment.

    Summary

    Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes

    Yield: 20 meatballs

    Difficulty: Easy

    Storage Notes

    Fridge:

    Store cooked meatballs in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Reheat in sauce or microwave.

    Freezer (Do This):

    Freeze baked and cooled meatballs on a tray, then transfer to a bag. Frozen meatballs last 3 months. Reheat from frozen in sauce (simmer 15 minutes) or oven (350°F for 15 minutes).

    Meal Prep Move:

    Double the batch. Freeze half. You’ll thank yourself on a busy Tuesday.