Learn how to cook meatballs in the oven in easy simple steps. They are packed full of flavor, juicy and tender on the inside, with crispy browned outer. In this post, you will learn how easy cooking meatballs is, how long to cook meatballs in oven, what to serve with, tips, and more.
How To Cook Meatballs In the Oven
Can you cook meatballs in the oven? Absolutely! This post will show you how to cook meatballs in the oven that comes out juicy, tender, and flavorful.
Cooking meatballs in the oven is simple, straightforward, and quick with less than 30 minutes of cooking time.
If you've been searching for how to bake meatballs in the oven, this is the best recipe that will not only show you step by step but also answer frequently asked questions and share tips for success. You can't go wrong with it.
This oven baked meatballs recipe makes use of a few simple ingredients that can be easily found in grocery stores. You might already even have them in your pantry.
By cooking meatballs in the oven, there's no fear of oil splashing or the meat balls sticking to the pan. It requires minimal prep and you don't have to babysit them while they cook.
Meatballs are versatile and can go in sauces, served with pasta, rice, and potatoes, and used in wraps. It has different variations from Swedish meatballs to Italian to spicy meatballs and more. They are all delicious and nutritious.
This recipe makes 24 meatballs however, you can double the recipe if you want.
This baked meatballs recipe is low-carb, nutritious, healthy, and delicious. Let me show you how to cook meatballs in the oven.
Related: Pan fried meatballs, meatballs sauce
Ingredients
The detailed ingredient list, measurements, and directions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Minced meat- This is also known as ground beef. You can either use store bought or make yours at home. If you decide to go with homemade, here's how to make minced meat.
Egg- This binds all the ingredients together.
Breadcrumbs
Garlic granules- This can be substituted for garlic granules or freshly minced garlic.
Onion granules- This can be substituted for onion powder.
Italian seasoning
Black pepper
Salt
Parmesan - Optional
How To Bake Meatballs In the Oven
Preheat oven to 400F/200C.
Add minced beef, breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, egg, garlic granules, onion granules, black pepper, parmesan, and salt in a bowl.
Mix till all is well combined.
Use your hand to roll the seasoned meat into round balls of about 1.5 inches.
Arrange them on a paper-lined baking tray leaving space between the meatballs
(The baking paper prevents them from sticking to the tray and clean up is easier).
Put the baking tray in the oven and bake meatballs at 400F/200C for 20-25 minutes or until it's browned outside and juicy inside and cooked. Do not overcook especially if it's still going inside sauce or to be cooked further in a dish.
Bring them out of the oven, let them rest for a few minutes then serve.
How Long To Cook Meatballs In the Oven
How long do you bake meatballs? This depends on the size of the meatballs, and the temperature of the oven. For example, it will cook faster at a temperature of 400F than 380F. Also, mini-sized ones will cook quicker than regular-sized ones.
How long to bake meatballs at 400 in the oven is 20-25 minutes. This 1.5 inches size cooks for 20 minutes at a temperature of 400F.
How long to bake meatballs at 350 is 30 minutes.
For frozen meatballs, add an additional 10 minutes to the cooking time.
They are cooked when the inside is juicy, and tender, and the outer is browned.
Meatball Internal temperature: Use an instant meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the meat. It should be at least 160F. You can also cut into one to view the inside and ensure it is no longer pink.
What To Serve With Baked Meatballs
They are versatile and go with many foods. Some recommendations of foods to serve with are:
Spicy rice, Instant pot Spanish rice, Yellow rice
Spinach pasta, lemon pasta, Veggie pasta
Butter potatoes, Boiled potatoes, Seasoned potatoes
Boiled asparagus, boiled cabbage, Boiled Zucchini
Fried carrots, pan fried broccoli
How To Store
Let the meatballs cool completely then put them in a Ziploc or an airtight container before putting them in the fridge. It will keep well for 3 days in the fridge.
To store them for longer, store them in the freezer. When the meatballs are cooled, put them in a Ziploc, and label the bag with name and dates before putting it in the freezer where it will keep well for up to 6 months.
How To Reheat Meatballs - They can be reheated from chilled or frozen in the oven, microwave, or air fryer.
To reheat in the oven- Arrange the meatballs on a baking paper lined baking tray, put the tray in the oven, and bake at 380F for 8 minutes or until warmed through.
Tips For Cooking Meatballs
- Use ground beef/minced beef that has some fat in it so the meatballs are juicy and not dry.
- Don't overmix the meat mixture to avoid tough meat.
- Lightly oil your hands to roll the meat balls in order to prevent them from sticking to your palms. You can use food safe gloves if you don't like meat touching your fingers.
Use a cookie scoop or ice cream scoop for even sizes. Remember to run the scoop under water or lightly oil so it doesn't stick. - They can be prepped and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Line the baking with parchment paper to make clean up easier.
- Leave spaces between the meatballs on the baking tray..
- Don't overcook them so they don't dry out. They are cooked once they reach an internal temperature of 160F.
- When they are cooked, let them rest for 5 minutes before cutting into them.
FAQS
What temperature should meatballs be cooked to?
It should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 160F/70C. You can check this by inserting an instant meat thermometer into the thickest part and taking the reading.
Is it better to bake or pan cook meatballs?
Both are suitable methods of cooking meatballs. Pan frying is quicker but requires hands-on but with baking it in the oven, you don't have to babysit it.
Do I need to brown meatballs before baking?
No, you do not have to brown them on the stovetop before baking however browning in a pan first will give the outer a caramelized look.
TOOLS
Baking paper/ parchment paper
Mixing bowl
Measuring spoons
Ice cream scoop or cookie dough scoop.
Baking tray
More Meat Recipes
More How To Cook
How to cook sausages in the oven
Cooking frozen chicken thighs in air fryer
How to cook frozen chicken breast in air fryer
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How To Cook Meatballs In The Oven
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Baking tray
Ingredients
- 750 g (1.5lb) Ground beef
- ¾ cup Breadcrumbs
- 1 Large Egg
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Garlic granules
- ½ teaspoon Onion granules
- Black pepper and salt to taste
- ¼ cup Parmesan optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F/200C.
- In a bowl, add minced beef, breadcrumbs, egg, parmesan, garlic granules, onion granules, black pepper, and salt. Mix till all is well combined.
- Use your hand to roll the seasoned meat into round balls of about 1.5 inches.
- Arrange them on a paper-lined baking tray leaving space between the meatballs (The baking paper prevents the meatballs from sticking to the tray and clean up is easier).
- Put the baking tray in the oven and bake Meatballs at 400F/200C for 20-25 minutes or until it's browned outside and juicy inside and cooked. Do not overcook especially if it's still going inside sauce or to be cooked further in a dish.
- Bring them out of the oven, let them rest for a few minutes then serve.
Notes
- Use ground beef/minced beef that has some fat in it so the meatballs are juicy and not dry.
- Don't overmix the meat mixture to avoid tough meat.
- Lightly oil your hands to roll the meatballs in order to prevent them from sticking to your palms. You can use food safe gloves if you don't like meat touching your fingers.
Use a cookie scoop or ice cream scoop for even sizes. Remember to run the scoop under water or lightly oil so it doesn't stick. - The meatballs can be prepped and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Line the baking with parchment paper to make clean up easier.
- Leave spaces between the meatballs.
- Don't overcook them so they don't dry out. They are cooked once they reach an internal temperature of 160F.
- When the meatballs are cooked, let them rest for 5 minutes before cutting into them
Nutrition
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