Baked Italian Meatballs Recipe

Ingredients:

1 lb (450g) ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
½ cup breadcrumbs
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tsp dried parsley)
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp dried oregano
½ tsp dried basil
¼ cup milk
2 tbsp olive oil
1 cup marinara sauce (for serving)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with oil.

2. Mix the ingredients – In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, oregano, basil, and milk. Mix until well combined but do not overwork the meat.

3. Shape the meatballs – Roll the mixture into 1-inch (2.5 cm) balls and place them on the baking sheet, keeping some space between them.

4. Bake – Drizzle or brush olive oil over the meatballs. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until they are cooked through and lightly browned.

5. Serve – Heat the marinara sauce in a pan and add the meatballs. Simmer for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy with pasta, on a sandwich, or as an appetizer.