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
132 reviews
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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
    Sooo much easier than frying and all are uniformly cooked! VERY tasty!!

    • Reply
  • The gluten-free, onion free meatballs we usually buy are completely unavailable this year. Your recipe will fill the gap. Thank you so much!

    • Reply
  • I did 1/2 ground pork and 1/2 beef
    Yummmmm!!!!!

    • Reply
  • 5 stars
    I use game meat and they are delicious. Before this recipe, I hated making meatballs because who wants to stand at a cooktop and brown and splatter. I have made patties also and they were also delicious.

    • Reply
  • Turned out really awesome

    • Reply
    • So glad it turned out great for you!

  • THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I MADE YOUR RECIPE, ANDIT IS
    EXCELLENT!! I DOUBLED THE INGREDIENTS FOR GOOD BACKUP
    AS. EEDED FROM THE FREEZER. I PUT THE MEAT BALLS IN
    CONTAINERS WITH LOCKING LIDS AND FROZE THEM.
    THANK YOUR RECIPE!

    • Reply
    • 5 stars
      I happened to have all the ingredients so had a go at making half the quantity. I liked that the meatballs were nice and firm, since they were going into another dish afterwards.

      • Reply
  • 5 stars
    This has been the go-to recipe in my head forever. I just came on to see how long and at what temp to bake then for. If you’re cooking further in a sauce I even microwaved them and once they are in the sauce for a bit you would never know they were cooked in a microwave. The only thing I add to mine is some parsley, and I use fresh minced garlic. You can’t go wrong with these!

    • Reply
    • So glad you enjoy these meatballs! Thanks for sharing your variations,

  • Delicious made these meatballs and will be using this recipe for Mt meatballs and spaghetti from now on.

    • Reply
  • I made these for Orthodox Easter. I add chopped parsley and chopped fresh garlic in place of garlic powder. Very close to my Italian nonna’s recipe. So easy and they were a big hit.

    • Reply
  • 4 stars
    Very easy & tasty. I halved the recipe & baked for 21 minutes. Next I’ll try them with less baking time, to try for some pink inside.

    • Reply
  • 5 stars
    I haven’t made them yet, but I will do next time we have meatballs, the recipe sounds fab. What fat/meat ratio do you use for these?

    • Reply
  • 5 stars
    Wow so easy! My new go to!!! Tasty and my family loved them!

    • Reply
  • Hi, do you store your batches in the freezer when they are done? Or maybe before you cook them?

    • Reply
    • Hi Anna! I bake them first and then freeze them. They reheat quite well!

  • I kinda just plain Jane it and they always come out really good I don’t put the egg, milk, or the parm in it I do put mozzarella cheese on them when they are done

    • Reply
    • Always better with a little extra cheese!

  • 5 stars
    These meatballs are absolutely AWESOME 👏!
    I not only make meatballs with the recipe, but also make a ‘hamburger’ patty for my kiddo out of this recipe too (when I’m making the meatballs). He’s a picky eater but eats his ‘hamburger’ with gusto!

    You can’t go wrong – my whole family loves them! And they are so easy to make (I use oat milk as a substitute) and they turn out delish. I’m now getting requests for Sunday meatballs dinner 😁

    • Reply
    • Thanks for the comment! So glad you liked them

  • 5 stars
    Yummy and easy thank you!

    • Reply
    • Thanks! So glad you enjoyed the meatballs.

  • Awesome meatballs! Very easy recipe. Moist meatballs. My go to when I make them.

    • Reply
  • Sure beats frying them!

    • Reply
  • Just reading through , then will cook later this week ,,

    • Reply
  • 5 stars
    I made this recipe just as you instructed – except cut it in half. Baked for 20 minutes and then put meatballs into my sauce which I cooked for 2 hours. These meatballs were delicious!!!

    • Reply
    • Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the meatballs.

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