I love meatballs and have a number of recipes for enjoyable meatball recipe variations on the web site already, however I needed to have one good fundamental and straightforward selfmade meatball recipe that may very well be utilized in a number of completely different meals. That means you’ll be able to maintain a batch of those tasty meatballs in your freezer and use them in several fast weeknight meals later. I’m all about making issues straightforward and uncomplicated!

All recipes are rigorously examined in our Nashville Check Kitchen to make sure they’re straightforward, reasonably priced, and scrumptious.
“Straightforward recipe and it was successful! I made a double batch for a celebration and everybody cherished them!”
Hunter
Straightforward Meatballs Recipe
This selfmade meatball recipe is tremendous easy, pared-down, and fundamental for if you want one thing quick, straightforward, and uncomplicated. The opposite benefit to conserving these meatballs easy is that it makes them extra versatile! As a result of the flavour profile is easy, you’ll be able to pair this recipe with a wide range of sauces and meals.
And as at all times, I’ve obtained a few improve choices for you beneath in the event you do need to take this recipe up a notch and make one thing a bit of fancier.
Selfmade Meatballs Recipe
These straightforward selfmade meatballs are freezer-friendly and versatile. Hold a batch within the freezer for fast weeknight dinners later!


Stop your display screen from going darkish
- 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs* ($0.32)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan ($0.88)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder ($0.05)
- 1/2 tsp onion powder ($0.05)
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning ($0.05)
- 1/4 tsp salt ($0.02)
- 1/4 tsp pepper ($0.03)
- 2 giant eggs** ($0.42)
- 1/4 cup complete milk ($0.11)
- 1 lb. bulk Italian sausage*** ($3.00)
- 1 lb. floor beef ($5.99)
-
In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. In a separate small bowl, frivolously whisk the 2 eggs.
-
Add the breadcrumb combination, eggs, milk, Italian sausage, and floor beef to a big bowl. Use your fingers to combine the elements collectively till evenly mixed. Keep away from over mixing the meat.
-
Let the meatball combination relaxation for 5 minutes to permit the breadcrumbs time to melt. Divide and form the meat into about 32 balls, roughly 2 Tbsp in quantity every.
Oven Cooking Directions
-
Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment. Place the meatballs on the baking sheet about one inch other than one another.
-
Bake for about quarter-hour, or till frivolously browned.
-
As soon as browned, switch them to a pot of crimson sauce and simmer for 5 extra minutes within the sauce. If not utilizing a crimson sauce, add an extra 3-5 minutes to the bake time, or till they’re cooked via.
Range High Cooking Directions
-
Add a tablespoon of cooking oil to a big skillet and warmth over medium. As soon as scorching, swirl the oil to coat the floor of the skillet. Add half of the meatballs to the skillet.
-
Prepare dinner them, turning each couple of minutes, till browned on all sides and cooked via. Repeat with the second batch.
-
As soon as cooked, switch them to a pot of crimson sauce and simmer for a couple of minutes extra earlier than serving.
Freezing Directions
-
You may freeze this recipe both cooked or raw. I choose freezing them already cooked to allow them to go straight from the freezer right into a pot of crimson sauce after which simply simmer till heated via. Cooked meatballs needs to be utterly cooled earlier than putting in a gallon-sized freezer bag and transferred to the freezer.
-
To freeze raw, place the uncooked meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze on the baking sheet till strong (1-2 hours) earlier than transferring to a gallon-sized freezer bag for longer storage. Thaw utterly earlier than cooking.
See how we calculate recipe prices right here.
**If you want to exchange the eggs for dietary causes, you’ll be able to experiment utilizing a flax egg (1 Tbsp floor flaxseed combined with 3 Tbsp water per egg).
***I solely use a small quantity of additional seasoning on this recipe because the Italian sausage already has herbs and spices added. I combine this with floor beef, which provides extra taste and moisture. You can use several types of floor meat, however you’ll want to extend the seasonings accordingly, as the feel and taste could also be completely different.
- A observe on substituting the Italian Sausage: This recipe makes use of Italian sausage, which has a ton of herbs and spices already within the meat. Due to that, these solely want a small quantity of additional seasoning added. So, in the event you substitute the Italian sausage with a distinct sort of floor meat, be sure that to extend the seasonings accordingly.
- Combine-in concepts: If you wish to take this recipe up a notch and make it a bit of fancier, you possibly can strive including contemporary minced onion, garlic, crumbled bacon, sun-dried tomatoes, or contemporary herbs (basil, parsley, oregano). You too can strive swapping out the milk for a distinct liquid, like broth or even a few of your crimson sauce. And I’m at all times a fan of including a pinch of crushed crimson pepper to nearly something!
Serving: 1servingEnergy: 415kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 22gFats: 33gSodium: 703mgFiber: 0.4g
Learn our full vitamin disclaimer right here.
Methods to Make Selfmade Meatballs – Step by Step


Collect your entire elements.


Calmly whisk two giant eggs in a small bowl. In a separate small bowl, mix ½ cup breadcrumbs, ½ cup grated Parmesan, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ½ tsp Italian seasoning, ¼ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp pepper. Pre-mixing these elements helps them incorporate extra evenly into the meat with out having to overmix the meat.


Add the whisked egg, breadcrumb combination, ¼ cup milk, 1 lb. Italian sausage, and 1 lb. floor beef to a bowl. Use your fingers to combine the elements collectively.


Let the meatball combination sit for 5 minutes to permit the breadcrumbs to soak up among the moisture.


Divide and form the meatball combination into about 32 balls, 2 Tbsp every. I’ve small fingers, so this will likely truly look larger than they had been. I used a 2 Tbsp measuring cup to portion the meat.


To bake, preheat the oven to 400ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the meatballs on the baking sheet with about one inch between every.


Bake them for about quarter-hour, or till frivolously browned. Then, switch to a pot of crimson sauce and simmer for an extra 5 minutes. If not utilizing a crimson sauce, bake for 3-5 minutes longer, or till cooked via.


To prepare dinner them in a skillet, warmth one tablespoon cooking oil in a big skillet over medium. As soon as scorching, swirl to coat the skillet in oil, then add the meatballs. Prepare dinner for 1-2 minutes on both sides or till browned on all sides and cooked via.


Whether or not you prepare dinner them within the oven or on the range prime, ending them off with a quick simmer in crimson sauce provides an additional dose of taste and helps maintain them good and tender.


To freeze them as soon as cooked, cool them utterly within the fridge first, then place them in a freezer bag and switch to the freezer for longer storage (about 3 months). As soon as frozen they are often dropped straight from the freezer right into a pot of crimson sauce and simmered till heated via.


Like I mentioned, I really like a great meatball recipe. Listed here are some tremendous straightforward variations you’ll be able to strive when making this dish:
- Or, if you wish to supersize this recipe AND make it in a crockpot… my large gradual cooker meatballs are a enjoyable twist on this traditional dish.
- Swap out the seasonings on this recipe for nutmeg and allspice, and serve them with a creamy, savory sauce to make Swedish meatballs!
- Swap the breadcrumbs for rice and make porcupine meatballs (an excellent straightforward method to make this recipe gluten-free pleasant)
- Following on from what I mentioned earlier about utilizing completely different meat, turkey meatballs are a tasty different to the meat and Italian sausage used on this recipe.
Serving Options
There’s nothing simpler or extra satisfying than a plate of spaghetti with marinara sauce and meatballs, however that’s not the one means I get pleasure from this recipe! I really like making meatball subs from them, however they’d even be scrumptious added to a easy soup, like minestrone. I’d even serve them as a simple appetizer or add them to pizzas and bowl meals with rice and veggies. And, in fact, they’re completely scrumptious served with mashed potatoes, sautéed inexperienced beans, and brown gravy. Yum!!
Storing & Reheating
Any leftovers might be saved in an hermetic container for as much as 3-4 days. You may reheat them in a skillet over medium-low warmth, within the microwave, or simmered in a sauce till heated via. I’ve additionally included directions for freezing within the recipe card above!
Our Straightforward Selfmade Meatballs recipe was initially revealed 1/10/22. It was retested, reworked, and republished to be higher than ever 2/16/25.



