How to Bake Meatballs in the Oven

Oven baked meatballs are by far the easiest way to cook meatballs. Not only can you cook a lot all at the same time, you can also ensure that they are all cooked evenly throughout and that all of the meatballs are cooked the same. It is also nice that you do not need to hover over the skillet, flipping the meatballs. Instead, while they are baking in the oven, you can work on other parts of the meal.

For years I used to cook them in a skillet and, while using a skillet is a perfectly fine way to cook meatballs, once I learned how to bake them in the oven, I never turned back.

Cooking meatballs has never been easier than baking them in the oven. A simple recipe for meatballs that can be used in spaghetti sauce, with honey garlic sauce, for swedish meatballs and more!

Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl.

Cooking meatballs has never been easier than baking them in the oven. A simple recipe for meatballs that can be used in spaghetti sauce, with honey garlic sauce, for swedish meatballs and more!

Knead the meat mixture so that everything is evenly mixed together.

Cooking meatballs has never been easier than baking them in the oven. A simple recipe for meatballs that can be used in spaghetti sauce, with honey garlic sauce, for swedish meatballs and more!

Roll the meat mixture into 1 1/2 inch meatballs and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. I love parchment paper because it ensures that the meatballs do not stick to the baking sheet and it also makes clean up easier.

Oven baked meatball recipe

Bake in a 400F oven until cooked through, about 20-24 minutes. The meatballs should all be evenly cooked and nicely browned on the outside.

Cooking meatballs has never been easier than baking them in the oven. A simple recipe for meatballs that can be used in spaghetti sauce, with honey garlic sauce, for swedish meatballs and more!

Once done, they can be used in spaghetti sauce and topped on noodles, tossed with honey garlic sauce and served as an appetizer. I also love these in a meatball sub with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese!

Oven baked meatball recipe

We love meatballs and use them in a lot of different recipes. Baking the meatballs in the oven works for pretty much every recipe that uses cooked meatballs. Once they are baked, they can be added to the dish.

Recipes with Meatballs!

I also love cooking meatballs in our smoker and here are a bunch of meatball recipes prepared for grilling or smoking.

How to Bake Meatballs in the Oven

Cooking meatballs has never been easier than baking them in the oven. A simple recipe for meatballs that can be used in spaghetti sauce, with honey garlic sauce, for swedish meatballs and more!
4.98 out of 5
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Cooking meatballs has never been easier than baking them in the oven. A simple recipe for meatballs that can be used in spaghetti sauce, with honey garlic sauce, for swedish meatballs and more!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 39 minutes
Servings: 28 meatballs

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 3/4 cup bread crumbs
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400F.
  • In a lage bowl, mix all the ingredients together.  Knead the mixture with your hands until thoroughly combined. 
  • Roll into 1 1/2 inch meatballs and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. 
  • Bake in the oven at 400F until cooked through, about 20-24 minutes.

Nutrition

Per serving:

Calories: 69kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 8gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 33mgSodium: 160mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1g

Nutrition Disclaimer

Oven baked meatball recipe

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Recipe Rating




167 comments

  • 5 stars
    Very good! I just added parsley and some Italian seasoning blend.

    • Reply
    • Thanks! So glad you liked them. 🙂

      • Reply
  • 5 stars
    Meatballs came out great! Now, how can we adapt this recipe and turn it into meatloaf?

    • Reply
    • So glad you enjoyed the recipe! I actually have a meatloaf recipe that uses a fairly similar mix of ingredients. You can find the recipe here Classic Homemade Meatloaf

      • Reply
  • 5 stars
    One word: AWESOME.

    Thanks for sharing this killer recipe.

    • Reply
    • Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed the recipe. We use these meatballs all the time.

      • Reply
  • Make them and froze them to use them at a later date and they were good

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  • 5 stars
    Made this and it was very good. Sometimes simple is the best. It bombed my sauce up to five stars as rated by my husband. Also froze some for later and served at impromptu dinner party.

    • Reply
    • Should they be baked/partially baked before freezing? I want to make a double batch for a family get together, and plan to plop them in a crockpot with sauce on the day of serving.

      • Reply
      • I would freeze them fully baked. Then, into the crockpot with sauce to heat up on the day of serving, like you mention. Should work out really well.

        • Reply
  • 5 stars
    Love the recipe !

    I bake them in mini-muffin pan which holds 24. Perfect size and cook all the way through without needing to turn!

    • Reply
    • Love the idea of using a mini muffin pan!

      • Reply
  • How many meatballs does make?

    • Reply
    • I usually get around 28 meatballs but it will very depending on the size of meatballs you make.

      • Reply
  • 5 stars
    I think it’s the best way. I use a medium size cookie scoop. It makes it easier to keep the size even. Also this works good for subs- they don’t roll off.

    • Reply
  • Yes had to turn them to brown evenly about 20 minutes in then my oven took 10 minutes longer delicious!

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  • 5 stars
    I cut the recipe in half, and the meatballs were perfect! I added 1/4 tsp. of dried basil to use them in my italian spaghetti sauce! I can’t wait to make these again!!!

    • Reply
    • So glad you liked them! I love using them in spaghetti sauce as well!

      • Reply
  • 5 stars
    I followed this receipe but I did add some Italian seasoning and dipped them in n peppercorn. The name if your website gave me that idea. Delicious.

    • Reply
  • 5 stars
    Perfect & simple recipe for ground beef meatballs; I had 1.3lb and adjusted as needed; my first time baking meatballs and it will be my go-to method from now on; no more mess on the stove top! Thanks for the great recipe!

    • Reply
  • 5 stars
    This recipe is by far the easiest and best tasting meatballs! Made these for my sons lunch and ended up eating half of what I made as soon as they came out of the oven. This will definitely be a keeper in my house. Thanks for sharing your recipe. – Lynette

    • Reply
  • NOTE: Turn the meatballs 1/2 way through cooking time so the bottoms do not get burnt.

    • Reply
    • Yes!! I agree! Definitely turn the meatballs! I just fed my husband, 18 yrs old son. 2 yrs old daughter and myself. I come from an Italian family so my hubby and kids are used to fine cooking but I didn’t use any fresh ingredients tonight. I just threw in 2 eggs, NO milk, minced garlic, minced onion, parsley, Italian breadcrumbs and parmesan. That’s it. I just used this recipe for the oven temperature and baking time, because I’ve done them at 350 before for a longer time, but the meatballs were more like mini loaves lol. I had my daughter mix everything together and then make the meat into 2 inch balls. We cooked them at 400 degrees for 24 minutes, because they were a tad bigger than the recipe calls for. They were AMAZING! We put them into italian grinder rolls and used a jarred sauce, one of the name brand garlic and tomato sauce. They were AMAZING even with no sauce! Just amazing! What a great, easy and delicious dinner! Thanks for the taking the time to put up your recipe! Everyone, just don’t forget to turn those meatballs halfway through!Thanks, God bless you all and have a lovely Thanksggiving! ,

      • Reply
      • Thanks for sharing your alterations. Glad you enjoyed the meatballs!!

        • Reply
    • 5 stars
      Yes awesome recipe!! And if you don’t want to take the time to turn each meatball, place on an oven rack then on baking sheet, you can even put parchment paper under the oven rack for easy clean up!
      Then the meatballs won’t burn.
      Thanks Steve, great recipe!

      • Reply
  • Thanks for the baking time and yes using parchment paper is always a fast clean up. Used my own recipe, also the same as above, did not use milk in mine, but usually do, just didn’t. I love the seasoning from Weber, its their Roasted Garlic & Herb Seasoning! Yes the oven is smelling Great! I have my seedless cucumbers all cut up, fresh sliced tomatoes, and rice is almost done. My sinfully chocolate cakes was baked last night, and added a few flower candies on top! Ice tea to finish off my meal for a family get together! Have a Great Evening, ooopss! They’re done! Gotta go!
    Deb

    • Reply
  • So much easier than pan frying, and just as good.

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  • What can I replace the bread crumbs with for wheat sensitivity

    • Reply
    • I have used instant mashed potatoes. My daughter must eat gluten-free.

      • Reply
    • I just used gluten free pancake mix

      • Reply
    • Trader Joe’s has rice crumbs that work well, I made GF bread crumbs from GF bread which also worked well

      • Reply
    • We use Gluten Free Bread Crumbs
      Most stores have some type of selection of these available.

      • Reply
    • I often use spicy chicharrones (pork rinds) vs bread crumbs. Super delish!

      • Reply
  • I’m making these right now but making them bigger because who doesn’t love a huge meatball!! Thx for posting!! Wasn’t sure about the baking thing but loved your parchment paper thing…so it’s an easier clean up!!

    • Reply
  • 5 stars
    I looked at several recipes, Steve……. THIS is the one I have chosen as it is straight forward, detailed, and frankly, looks great too. Thanks for taking the time to post.

    Joe

    • Reply
  • Yum, your baked meatballs look delicious. My kids love to eat meatballs in just about any recipe. I bet these would freeze well, too. Stopping by from the #HomeMattersParty link up.

    • Reply
    • 5 stars
      It’s the first time I ever do meatballs in my life! Guess what?! Its sure not the last time. They were perfect ? and the whole family loved them. Thank you for sharing this great recipe. I didn’t have permesan cheese so I substituted it with Italian seasoned breadcrumbs. Worked like a charm ?

      • Reply
      • Awesome! I am so glad you enjoyed them. They are a huge favourite in our house!!

        • Reply

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