Homemade Italian Meatballs is a traditional Italian meatballย recipe that was handed down to my family from my grandma. They are so easy and beyond delicious.

These easy Italian meatballs are so simple to make with an unexpected cooking step. The final result is juicy and tender meatballs that are perfect with pasta.

overhead shot of a bowl of spaghetti and meatballs.

Confession time friends. I used to use frozen meatballs all the time but then I made my grandma’s Italian meatballs and I haven’t bought the frozen ones since.

This easy recipe make the absolute BEST spaghetti and meatballs – every time I make them I am transported back to my childhood when my grandmother would make that classic pasta dish for me.

Grandma was known for her spaghetti and meatballs, and she always told us to marry an Italian because that was her dream until she met my German grandfather. I remember her teasing him all the time for not being Italian, and he would then pretend to be one, talking in an accent it would always make her laugh.

I love sharing this story with my kids now whenever I make a batch of her delicious classic Italian meatballs. If you think homemade meatballs are a big fuss, you are going to love this recipe.

meatballs piled on top of spaghetti in a bowl.

Recipe Notes

  • The meatball recipe is simple with lean ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, and cheese. It’s the cooking method that really makes them special.
  • Instead of browning the meatballs in oil on the stove, my grandma microwaved them. This step par cooks the meatballs so they hold together before you add them to the sauce. It’s also a lot easier than browning and makes less of a mess.
  • Once you’ve microwaved them, you can freeze them for later, bake them in the oven, or simmer them in marinara sauce on the stove. Once cooked, they’re juicy and tender – the perfect batch of Italian meatballs.
  • We love spaghetti and meatballs, but meatball sandwiches are a close second! 

I love, love, love these – they really are the best meatballs and I am so thrilled to share them with you.

So easy, literally 20 minutes to make these babies, then just let them simmer in the sauce for an hour and you are set.

Ingredients

  • Lean ground beef – I use 93% lean.
  • Large eggs
  • Grated Parmesan cheese
  • Italian bread crumbs
  • Chopped freshย parsley or dried parsley
  • Dried basil
  • Salt
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Blackย pepper

How do you make Easy Italian Meatballs?

In a large bowl combine all the ingredients and mix together using your hands until seasoning, bread crumbs and cheese are all very well mixed in.

the meatballs mixture in a bowl with a wooden spoon.

Make meatballs using a cookie scoop, I found this makes a perfect size. My grandma always told us โ€œgolf ballโ€ sized meatballs.

raw meatballs in a baking dish.

Place meatballs in a glass pie plate, per grandmaโ€™s directions or 9×13 glass pan, which I find easiest.

Fill the pan 1/3 full of water. Cover plate or pan with wax paper and place in the microwave and heat on high for 3 minutes.

meatballs in a baking dish with water.

Then turn over the meatballs and cover again with wax paper and heat again on high for 3 minutes.

the par cooked meatballs in a baking dish.

Two Ways to Cook Them

How to Bake Meatballs: Drain the water from the 9×13″ pan and cover meatballs with marinara sauce. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake the meatballs at 300ยฐF for one hour. 

meatballs in a baking dish covered with sauce.

Stovetop Method: Transfer the meatballs to a large pan and cover them with marinara or tomato sauce. Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat and then adjust the heat to low. Cover and simmer the meatballs for an hour.

close-up shot of meatballs simmering in a pan with marinara sauce.

How to Freeze Italian Meatballs

  • I love that they’re freezer-friendly! Once you microwave them, transfer them to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.ย 
  • Freeze them for about 30 minute to an hour. Once they are frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag or container. They will keep well for several months.
  • You can take them right out of the freezer and warm them up in marinara sauce on the stove or bake them in the oven with sauce.

Recipe Variations

I like to use lean ground beef, but you can use ground pork, Italian sausage, or ground turkey. You can also use a mix of ground meat. 

You can add other fresh herbs to the meat mixture like basil, rosemary, parsley, or thyme.

We love these meatballs with spaghetti and pasta sauce, but you can also serve cooked meatballs on their own with a vegetable and garlic bread on the side.

Or, add them to soups, use them to make meatball subs, or slice them up to layer in a homemade lasagna. There really are so many ways to use them.

a close-up shot of a bowl of spaghetti and meatballs.

Really there is no reason not to try this recipe, DONโ€™T buy frozen meatballs friends, just donโ€™t do it. Just say no. Make these Easy Italian Meatballs – they are so worth the little effort and they are beyond delicious.

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Easy Italian Meatballs

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 1 hour 6 minutes
Total: 1 hour 16 minutes
Servings: 36 meatballs
Calories: 45 kcal
Easy Italian Meatballs is a traditional Italian meatball recipe that was handed down to my family from my grandma. They are so easy and beyond delicious.
a bowl of spaghetti and meatballs.

Ingredients
 

  • 2 pounds lean ground beef I use 93%
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup Italian bread crumbs
  • 1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley or 1 Tbsp dried
  • 1 teaspoon basil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl combine all the ingredients and mix together using your hands until seasoning, bread crumbs and cheese are all very well mixed in.
  • Roll into balls, each weighing about 1 oz. I use a 3 tablespoon cookie dough scoop and find this to make the perfect consistent size My grandma always told us โ€œgolf ballโ€ sized.
  • Place meatballs in a 9"x13" glass pan. My grandma used a glass pie plate but I find the larger pan works for me.
  • Fill the pan 1/3 full with water, about 2 cups. Cover pan loosely with parchment paper and place in the microwave and heat on high for 3 minutes.
  • Then turn over the meatballs and cover again, then heat on high for another 3 minutes.
  • At this point you have two options:
  • Option 1: Drain water from pan, sprinkle with salt, and cover with sauce. Cover pan with foil and place in oven at 300ยฐF for 1 hour.
  • Option 2: Plate meatballs in a large pot on stove and cover with sauce. Simmer on low for an hour and.
  • Serve with your choice of pasta and optionally garnish with fresh herbs or parmesan. Enjoy!
Serving: 1ozCalories: 45kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 6gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 107mgPotassium: 97mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 56IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 14mgIron: 1mg
a bowl of spaghetti and meatballs.
Tried this recipe?Let us know what you think!

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16 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    These are delicious and made for a great dinner and leftovers. I love these with Pasta Jay’s sauce. It’s my go to jarred sauce.

5 from 13 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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