Description
These Ground Beef Meatballs are tender, flavorful, and perfect for a comforting meal. Made with a blend of ground beef, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasonings, they are seared to perfection and then simmered gently in marinara sauce. Ready in just 45 minutes, this recipe yields four servings of a classic Italian-inspired dish that pairs wonderfully with pasta, rice, or crusty bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (plain or Italian-seasoned)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 medium onion (finely chopped)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
For Cooking:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups marinara sauce (for simmering)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Gather all ingredients on your countertop for an organized cooking experience, ensuring everything is ready to use.
- Mix Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, chopped onion, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix gently using your hands just until everything is evenly incorporated, being careful not to overwork the mixture to keep the meatballs tender.
- Shape Meatballs: Form the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs, approximately 1 inch in diameter, to ensure even cooking and a perfect bite-sized portion.
- Sear Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs in batches so as not to overcrowd the pan and sear them until they are golden brown on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. This step adds flavor and seals in juices.
- Simmer in Sauce: Pour marinara sauce over the seared meatballs in the skillet. Cover with a lid and let them simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes to fully cook the meatballs and allow flavors to meld beautifully before serving.
Notes
- For extra moisture, soak breadcrumbs in a little milk before mixing.
- Use Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs for added flavor without extra spices.
- Make sure not to overmix the meatball mixture to keep them tender.
- You can freeze uncooked meatballs for up to 3 months; thaw before cooking.
- Serve with pasta, rice, or a crusty baguette for a complete meal.
