Juicy Baked Meatballs: An Easy Family Favorite
These succulent baked meatballs bring a burst of flavor with each bite. Perfect for adding to spaghetti, serving as sliders, or enjoying solo!
Prep
: 10
Total
: 25 minutes
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 tablespoons vegetable oil for sautéing aromatics
- 1 cup white onion finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1.5 cups panko breadcrumbs unseasoned
- 0.75 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1.5 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1.5 pounds ground beef 80% lean
- 0.5 pound ground pork
- 3 cups tomato sauce store-bought or homemade
- 3 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- 0.5 cup fresh basil chopped, for garnish
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a large baking dish.
- Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onions for 4-5 minutes until soft, then add garlic and cook for an additional minute. Remove from heat.
- In a large bowl, mix panko, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk and eggs, then add to the dry ingredient mixture to create a paste.
- Combine ground beef and pork in a large bowl. Add the sautéed onion mixture and breadcrumb mixture. Mix gently until just combined.
- Form the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs and arrange in the prepared baking dish.
- Pour tomato sauce over the meatballs, covering them completely.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil, sprinkle with mozzarella, and continue baking for 15 minutes or until cheese melts and is bubbly.
- Broil for 2 minutes for a golden cheese top if desired. Let cool slightly, then garnish with basil and serve.
Notes
To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute panko with gluten-free breadcrumbs. Consider adding chopped spinach for an additional nutritional boost.