These Baked Meatballs are super easy to make and extremely delicious. Serve them as a main dish or set them atop a heaping plate of spaghetti!
Original post: March 2017 | Updated: February 2021
If you hear me say OH. MY. GOSH. while pulling something out of the oven, it’s because whatever it is that I’m pulling out is not what I expected it to be. Now, most of the time that means it isn’t as fluffy or pretty or lightly browned as I’d envisioned.
The first time I pulled these delightful little balls of meat out of the oven, however, my OH. MY. GOSH. was a declaration of unexpected splendor. They smelled and looked soooo incredibly, satisfyingly delicious that I could hardly stand it.
That movie Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs that my boys have watched a thousand times? I finally get it. If I could look up and see any food falling from the sky in droves, it would be these easy baked meatballs.
HOW TO MAKE EASY BAKED MEATBALLS
STEP 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large, rimmed baking with parchment paper and set aside. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Mix well using a heavy spoon or your hands.
STEP 2
Form golf-ball-sized balls out of the meat mixture and place 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
Serve as a main dish or atop a plate of spaghetti!
RECIPE NOTES
- Replace the ground beef with turkey for a slimmed down recipe.
- To make these gluten free, either omit the crackers entirely or replace them with a GF variety.
- Chop the onions finely to help avoid the meatballs falling apart.
FAQ ABOUT MEATBALLS
Thirty minutes is the magic number for my oven when it is set to 350 degrees F. They will begin to bubble and brown and make your house smell like heaven at around the 20-minute mark. Cut into the center of a meatball to ensure the meat is no longer pink and entirely cooked through before taking a delicious bite.
YES! II’s the best way, in my opinion, because it’s the easiest way. You can let the oven do its thing while you prep other food, such as spaghetti sauce or pasta.
Meatballs can definitely be frozen. Allow them to cool after baking, then place in a Ziploc freezer bag. Freeze for up to 4 months!
To make meatballs healthier, replace beef with ground turkey and omit the crackers and cheese.
For a gluten free recipe, either omit the crackers or replace them with a gluten free variety.
LOVE MEATY DISHES?
- Start using your Instant to make Sloppy Joes! They are a hearty and delicious sandwich with a sweet and savory sauce that tastes like they’ve cooked all day.
- This is the best meatloaf recipe you’ll ever eat and it is such an easy classic dish. It’ll quickly become a favorite family meal!
- The perfect way to start your day is in the first bite of a Loaded Bagel Sandwich.
- Cast iron calzones takes less than an hour of your time to make. Cater the filling ingredients to your liking. This is such an easy, perfect meal!
- Meatball Sub Casserole – A meatball sub transformed into a comforting casserole! Garlic Bread, Cheese, Italian flavors and Meatballs come together for this perfect weeknight family dinner! Best of all, it’s done in under 45 minutes!
- Tater Tot Hotdish is a classic Midwestern staple. Whether as a main or side, everyone at the table will be satisfied. Great for Thanksgiving or any time!
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Easy Baked Meatballs Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 cup Ritz crackers crushed
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup onion finely chopped
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1/4 cup Italian parsley chopped
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large, rimmed baking with parchment paper and set aside. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Mix well using a heavy spoon or your hands.
- Form golf-ball-sized balls out of the meat mixture and place 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- Serve as a main dish or atop a plate of spaghetti!
Notes
- Replace the ground beef with turkey for a slimmed down recipe.
- To make these gluten free, either omit the crackers entirely or replace them with a GF variety.
- Chop the onions finely to help avoid the meatballs falling apart.
Nice article, thank you for the sharing
You’re welcome! Thanks for stopping by!
Your meatloaf recipe is the only one my family will eat! It’s amazing. We use homemade grape jam in place of the apricot preserves and it’s wonderful. I was wondering how much of the sauce you would make to go with these meatballs in the crockpot? I know they will be a hit at out Christmas Day appetizer luncheon. Thanks for the amazing recipe.
We also use Frosted Flakes in place of the Ritz. That was my husband’s idea. Turns out great!
Seriously such a great idea! Wow! I’ll have to try this next time.
Megan
Michelle, you just made my day. I love this! Grape jam seems to be a common replacement for the topping, so I’m glad you liked it.
Ok so your question about reproducing the sauce for a meatball crockpot creation has my juices flowing. I’m totally going to create a recipe based on this very thing. I’m not sure amounts yet, but stay tuned and THANKS for the inspiration! Let me know how your version turned out if you give it a whirl for Christmas.
Megan