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Home » Recipes » Main Courses » Beef Main Courses » Classic Meatball Recipe

Classic Meatball Recipe

December 17, 2020 by Faith 24 Comments

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This Classic Meatball Recipe features tender, juicy, and flavorful meatballs with onion, garlic, Italian herb seasoning, and a secret ingredient that keeps them moist! They’re easy to make in the oven, and a great way to feed a crowd.

Traditional Meatballs with Spaghetti Noodles and Tomato Sauce on White Plates

I’ve shared a couple of my meatball recipes before, but the recipe I’m sharing today is a must-have in your meatball repertoire!

This Classic Meatball Recipe is my go-to meatballs, and I think they’ll become yours too.

Tender and moist meatballs, flavored with Parmesan cheese and sauteed onion and garlic, and seasoned with Italian herbs and a hint of Worcestershire. They’re always a hit!

Classic Meatball Recipe with Tomato Sauce on Metal Tray on Dark Wood Table

This is the recipe you’d reach for when you make spaghetti with tomato sauce and want the perfect meatballs to decorate the top. (Of course you can keep the carbs down and use zucchini noodles instead!)

Or when you want to make meatball bombers. 

And don’t even get me started on how delicious this Classic Meatball Recipe is made into a Meatball Parmesan Casserole!

Classic Meatball Recipe with Description

Classic Meatball Recipe

Out of all the different kinds of meatballs I make, these are by far the most tender and juicy. And they rank pretty high when it comes to flavor too! They come out of the oven moist inside and caramelized and a little crisp on the outside, so they basically cook themselves.

Mixing Ingredients for Meatballs

Not to mention that this recipe is a great way to feed a crowd on the cheap! How else can you feed six people with just one pound of meat, right?!

Beef Meatballs on Platter

The Secret Ingredient in Meatballs

This Classic Meatball Recipe uses a secret ingredient that not only keeps them moist, but also helps stretch the meat: bread! Well not just regular bread, bread soaked in a little milk.

I know that might sound strange, but if you’re looking for the most mind-blowing moist and tender meatballs, this milk-soaked bread trick is the key.

Close Up Front View of Traditional Italian Style Beef Meatballs

What Kind of Meat to Use for Meatballs

I like to use lean ground beef for this Classic Meatball Recipe.

I think these meatballs would be good with just about any type of ground meat you like, such as ground lamb, turkey, or chicken.

Overhead View of Classic Meatball Recipe

More Meatball Recipes to Try:

  • Cheesy Turkey Meatballs with Rosemary Cream Sauce
  • Lentil Soup with Spinach and Mini Chicken Meatballs (Gluten Free)
  • Tomato-Simmered Lemon and Oregano Bison Meatballs
  • 30 Minute Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
  • Chicken Meatball Casserole (Keto)
  • Turkey Sausage Meatballs with Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce
  • Herbed Roquefort-Stuffed Turkey Meatballs with Cranberry Apple Glaze

Classic Meatball Recipe with Spaghetti in White Bowl

Did you make this recipe? Please rate it and leave a comment below because I love hearing from you! You can also tag @anediblemosaic on social media. To stay up-to-date FOLLOW ME on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Xoxo, Faith

Beef Meatballs with Tomato Sauce on Metal Platter with Basil

Classic Meatball Recipe

This Classic Meatball Recipe features tender, juicy, and flavorful meatballs with onion, garlic, Italian herb seasoning, and a secret ingredient that keeps them moist! They're easy to make in the oven, and a great way to feed a crowd.
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian American
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Meat Chill Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 335kcal
Author: Faith Gorsky

Ingredients

  • Olive oil spray
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium-large onion finely diced
  • 3 large cloves garlic minced
  • 3 cups cubed white bread with crust removed (about 9 (1-ounce) slices of American-style white bread)
  • 6 tablespoons milk
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 large egg white
  • 1 ounce Parmesan cheese finely shredded (about 1/2 cup shredded)
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
  • 1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350F and lightly spray a large baking tray with olive oil spray.
  • Heat the extra-virgin olive oil over medium-low heat in a large skillet. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until soft but not brown, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Turn the heat off and cool slightly.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the cubed bread and milk; stir together with a fork so it forms a paste.
  • In a large bowl, combine cooked onion/garlic, bread/milk mixture, and all remaining ingredients.
  • Use your hands to combine all the ingredients, then roll the mixture into meatballs, compacting it slightly with your hands. I make mine about 1 1/2 tablespoons and I get about 30 meatballs.
  • Arrange the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet and bake 30 minutes.

Helpful Tips

  • This recipe makes about 30 meatballs, or 6 servings. Each serving is 5 meatballs.

Nutrition

Serving: 5meatballs | Calories: 335kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 461mg | Potassium: 309mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 174IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 154mg | Iron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @anediblemosaic or tag #anediblemosaic!

Classic Meatball Recipe Pin

This post was first published on An Edible Mosaic on April 3, 2011. It was updated with new photos  and more information on December 17, 2020. As a point of comparison to show how much my photography has evolved, I kept one of my original photos (below).

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links to products I believe in, which means that even though it doesn’t cost you anything extra, I will receive a small amount of money from the sale of these items, which helps me keep this site alive – thank you for helping to support An Edible Mosaic!

Filed Under: Beef Main Courses Tagged: Classic Meatball Recipe, Meatballs, Recipes

Comments

  1. dasunrisin says

    April 7, 2011 at 11:36 am

    Sounds so great! I’ve been looking for a great meatball recipe. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  2. grace says

    April 7, 2011 at 5:15 am

    i’ve never put cheese in the meatball itself–great idea!

    Reply
  3. Raina says

    April 6, 2011 at 8:55 pm

    These look great! I love meatballs. I usually use ground sirloin, even though my grandmother tells me to use a fattier meat..lol I bet the Worcestershire sauce really adds a nice flavor:)

    Reply
  4. Anna Johnston says

    April 6, 2011 at 4:02 pm

    I use a very similar meatball recipe Faith & like yours, it turns out beautifully every time too.

    Reply
  5. Juliana says

    April 5, 2011 at 4:50 pm

    Faith, your meatballs look delicious, so juicy and plump…great pictures as well :-) Have a great week ahead!

    Reply
  6. Nicole, RD says

    April 5, 2011 at 12:21 pm

    These look amazing, Faith! I love meatballs. I didn’t like them growing up but now they’re a favorite :)

    Reply
  7. Julie M. says

    April 4, 2011 at 8:19 pm

    Hey Faith! How was your trip? I’ve missed stopping by here! These meatballs look fabulous. They’ve got me craving a giant bowl of spaghetti!

    Reply
  8. Heather @ Get Healthy with Heather says

    April 4, 2011 at 11:55 am

    These look perfect faith! I seriously want a pile of those on top of my pasta. Thanks for sharing :)

    Reply
  9. Angie's Recipes says

    April 4, 2011 at 10:12 am

    Those meatballs look delish!

    Reply
  10. Katerina says

    April 4, 2011 at 8:31 am

    I love the meatballs and this recipe has many things in common with mine!

    Reply
  11. Barbara says

    April 4, 2011 at 6:45 am

    I like a mixture of meats in my meatballs…but this is a great basic recipe, Faith.

    Reply
  12. Priscilla - She's Cookin' says

    April 4, 2011 at 1:07 am

    Everyone needs a great basic meatball recipe. Thanks for sharing, Faith! I need to get a silpat liner some day.

    Reply
  13. Monet says

    April 3, 2011 at 11:12 pm

    What makes this post even more exciting is that I already have the ingredients I need to make these tomorrow night. Yum! Thank you for sharing with me tonight. I’m in the need of some comfort…and you are one of the blogs I know I can turn to. I hope you have a great start to your week. Blessings and love.

    Reply
  14. Swathi says

    April 3, 2011 at 10:19 pm

    Delicious meatballs great with spaghetti.

    Reply
  15. Victoria says

    April 3, 2011 at 8:56 pm

    A great go-to meatball recipe!

    Reply
  16. Louanne says

    April 3, 2011 at 6:24 pm

    I love meatballs, and your recipe looks wonderful, Faith!

    Reply
  17. Louanne says

    April 3, 2011 at 6:22 pm

    I love a meatball any day of the week, and yours look delicious, Faith.

    Reply
  18. Erica says

    April 3, 2011 at 1:26 pm

    Fabulous! I love making meatballs. I love doing them in oven. I usually place them on a cooling rack on top of a cookie sheet, sprayed with non stick spray-allows some of the fat to drain out. Yours look just perfect!

    Reply
  19. Beth says

    April 3, 2011 at 12:25 pm

    These look great! I’ve been thinking of you on your wonderful trip and hope you’re staying safe. Take care.

    Reply
  20. BeadedTail says

    April 3, 2011 at 11:52 am

    Those look very tasty! Yum!

    Reply
  21. Carol @ There's Always Thyme to Cook says

    April 3, 2011 at 11:19 am

    Love meatballs, yours looks so good! We just had some, now you’ve given me the craving again!

    Reply
  22. Betty @ scrambled hen fruit says

    April 3, 2011 at 9:53 am

    Cook themselves? Delicious? Sounds great to me. :) I bet they’d make a great meatball sub too!

    Reply
  23. Priya says

    April 3, 2011 at 7:11 am

    Feel like having some meat balls,soooo tempting..

    Reply
  24. Rosa says

    April 3, 2011 at 7:02 am

    I love meatballs! Those look delicious.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply

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Hello! I’m Faith and I write An Edible Mosaic. This is my recipe collection of international favorites and updated American classics, with an emphasis on seasonal dishes. I focus on real foods that sustain body and mind, bring people together, and make a house a home. Welcome to my mosaic of recipes.

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I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to email me with questions or comments.

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