There's nothing quite like the smell of Homemade Meatballs simmering in your kitchen. These juicy meatballs are tender, flavorful, and so much better than anything from a package. I learned this basic meatball recipe from my mom, who learned it from her mom, and now it's the one my family begs for every Sunday.
They're perfect over spaghetti, tucked into sub sandwiches, or just eaten straight from the pan with a fork. Once you make meatballs from scratch, you'll never go back to store-bought.
Why You'll Love These Homemade Meatballs
These easy Homemade Meatballs deliver that melt in your mouth texture everyone craves. The combination of beef, herbs, and parmesan creates authentic Italian meatball flavor that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. I love that this homemade meatballs recipe works for everything from pasta dinner recipes to meatball subs to appetizers.
My husband says they're the best meatballs ever, and he's tried a lot of versions over the years. They're also freezer-friendly, which means you can make a big batch and have easy dinner recipes ready to go anytime.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love These Homemade Meatballs
- What You'll Need
- How to Make Homemade Meatballs
- Aliana's Top Tip
- Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
- Storage & Reheating Instructions
- What to Serve With Homemade Meatballs
- FAQs About Homemade Meatballs
- More Recipes You'll Love
- Related
- Pairing
- Italian Homemade Meatballs Recipe
- More DINNER
What You'll Need
Just grab a large mixing bowl and a skillet. These Italian meatballs come together with simple ingredients that create incredible flavor.
Want perfect results? Use the measurements in the recipe card.
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend works best)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (Italian seasoned or plain)
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for cooking)
Optional Extras
You can add a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat, or mix in some mozzarella cubes for cheese-stuffed meatballs. Fresh basil instead of dried adds a brighter flavor too.
How to Make Homemade Meatballs
Soak the Breadcrumbs
Mix your breadcrumbs with milk in a small bowl and let them sit for about 5 minutes. This step keeps your meatballs incredibly moist and tender instead of dry and dense.
Mix the Ingredients
Combine ground beef, the soaked breadcrumb mixture, egg, parmesan, garlic, parsley, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Use your hands to mix everything gently until just combined. Don't overwork the meat or your meatballs will be tough.
Shape the Meatballs
Scoop about 2 tablespoons of the mixture and roll it between your palms to form balls about 1.5 inches across. Keep them all the same size so they cook evenly.
Brown in Skillet
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add your meatballs in batches, making sure not to crowd the pan. Brown them on all sides for about 8-10 minutes total. They should have a nice golden crust.
Can I bake these instead of pan-frying? Absolutely. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes. They won't have quite the same crispy exterior, but they'll still be delicious and it's a hands-off method.
Finish Cooking
Transfer the browned meatballs to your favorite tomato sauce and let them simmer for another 15-20 minutes. This finishes cooking them through while infusing them with sauce flavor. You can also finish them in the oven if you prefer.
Aliana's Top Tip
The secret to the best Italian meatballs is not overmixing your meat mixture.
I learned this the hard way after making tough, dense meatballs for a dinner party years ago.
My sister still reminds me about it.
Now I always mix with a light hand, just until everything comes together.
The other game-changer is soaking those breadcrumbs in milk first because that's what gives you that tender, almost creamy texture inside.
Follow Aliana on Pinterest →Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
Swap ground beef for a mix of beef and pork, or use ground turkey for a lighter version. You can use panko breadcrumbs instead of regular for extra texture. Try adding fresh basil and Italian sausage for family-style sweet Italian sausage meatballs. For a keto-friendly meatball recipe, replace breadcrumbs with almond flour and skip the milk.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Store cooked meatballs in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat them gently in sauce on the stove or in the microwave. These freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Just cool them completely, arrange on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer bag. Reheat from frozen in simmering sauce for about 20 minutes.
What to Serve With Homemade Meatballs
Classic spaghetti is always a winner, but I also love these over fettuccine alfredo or tucked into crusty Italian bread for subs. A simple green salad and garlic bread complete the meal perfectly. They're also great as appetizers with toothpicks and marinara for dipping.
FAQs About Homemade Meatballs
Why do my meatballs fall apart?
Usually this happens because there's not enough binder. Make sure you're using the egg and soaked breadcrumbs, and handle the mixture gently but make sure it's fully combined.
How do I know when meatballs are done?
They should reach an internal temperature of 160°F. If you don't have a thermometer, cut one open to check that there's no pink remaining in the center.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, you can shape the raw meatballs and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before cooking. You can also fully cook them and reheat when needed.
What's the best meat ratio for juicy meatballs?
An 80/20 ground beef blend gives you the perfect balance of flavor and moisture. Leaner meat makes drier meatballs.
More Recipes You'll Love
If you're craving more comforting Dinner ideas, these recipes deliver that same homestyle satisfaction. My Classic Lasagna has layers of cheese and meat sauce everyone devours. The chicken parmesan is crispy, saucy, and always a hit. And the baked ziti is pure comfort food that feeds a crowd easily.
Gave this recipe your own spin? Share it on Pinterest @AlianaRecipes because your creativity could inspire someone else!
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Homemade Meatballs Recipe:
Italian Homemade Meatballs Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Mix breadcrumbs with milk in a small bowl and let them soak for five minutes so they soften.
- Combine beef, soaked breadcrumbs, egg, cheese, and spices gently by hand until just combined.
- Scoop two tablespoons of the mixture and roll between palms to form uniform round balls.
- Brown the meatballs in hot olive oil over medium heat for ten minutes until a crust forms.
- Simmer the browned meatballs in tomato sauce for twenty minutes to finish cooking them through.
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