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    Home » Recipes » Pasta

    Easy All Beef Meatball Recipe

    Published: Mar 9, 2021 · Modified: Sep 16, 2022 by Katelyn Theofanis · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · #sponsoredpost · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This easy all Beef Meatball Recipe is made using ingredients most have on hand - including pantry staples and ground beef. The homemade beef meatballs are moist, juicy, and full of flavor. Enjoy a batch with your favorite sauce.

    A plate of spaghetti topped with beef meatballs and sauce.

    This easy, baked ground beef meatball recipe delivers moist, flavorful meatballs. It uses everyday ingredients and requires little preparation. The base of this recipe is ground beef. The other elements enhance the beef's flavor and texture.

    All beef meatballs with panko bread crumbs, milk, onion, garlic, parmesan cheese, and dried herbs are quick and easy to make. Enjoy a batch any day of the week with your favorite jarred or homemade tomato sauce.

    If you love meatballs, try my easy Crockpot Frozen Turkey Meatball Subs!

    Jump to:
    • Can you make meatballs with just beef?
    • What is the secret to making good meatballs?
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Suggested Equipment
    • Storage
    • What To Serve With Beef Meatballs
    • Expert Tips
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Can you make meatballs with just beef?

    Yes, you can make meatballs with all beef. My meatball recipe uses only ground beef. Typically made using a blend of ground meat, meatballs are not limited in flavor with just one. This easy recipe delivers juicy, well-seasoned meatballs thanks to quality beef and carefully selected elements to enhance the flavor and texture.

    What is the secret to making good meatballs?

    There are five simple factors for making the best meatballs from scratch. For juicy, tender meatballs, retaining moisture, temperature, texture, and taste is essential.

    1. Add Moisture - soak the bread crumbs or bread in milk. The breadcrumbs, as well as the egg, help bind the meatballs together. Soaking breadcrumbs in milk keeps the breadcrumbs from drying out the meat mixture.
    2. Be gentle when mixing and shaping to avoid tough, chewy meatballs.
    3. Taste test the meat mixture before shaping and baking. Cook a small portion of meat in a skillet with a bit of olive oil and then taste to ensure the meat is seasoned correctly.
    4. Keep the mixture cold before baking. Why? The fat in the meat stays cold. Cold fat breaks down slower in the oven, which means tender, juicy meatballs.
    5. Bake the meatballs in the oven instead of frying them. The exterior browns while the interior remains tender.
    A sauce coated meatball on a fork.

    Ingredients

    • Ground Beef - For the best flavor, use grass-fed beef.
    • Panko Bread Crumbs
    • Whole Milk - Milk adds moisture. It assists in keeping the bread crumbs from drying out the meatballs.
    • Seasonings - I designed this recipe to use dried herbs, which most always have on hand. You will need dried oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
    • Parmesan Cheese - Use finely grated for the best incorporation.
    • Minced Garlic and White Onion - Like the cheese, finely mince the garlic and onion for the best incorporation.
    • Egg - The egg helps bind the mixture together.

    See the recipe card for ingredient quantities.

    Instructions

    The raw beef mixture in a bowl.
    Gently combine the beef mixture.
    The raw beef mixture shaped into meatballs on a foil-lined tray.
    Scoop and shape the meatballs.
    1. Prep: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly grease the surface with cooking spray.
    2. Combine the milk and bread crumbs: In a small bowl, stir together the milk and bread crumbs. Allow the mixture to sit for 5 to 10 minutes until absorbed.
    3. Mix all ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, egg, minced garlic, minced onion, parmesan cheese, soaked bread crumbs (and any remaining milk), and all of the seasonings. Gently mix with your hands until everything is combined.
    4. Scoop the meatballs: Using a medium cookie scoop or your hands, round (15) golf ball size balls of the beef mixture. Place onto the prepared baking sheet, about 1-inch apart.
    5. Bake for 18-20 minutes, until golden brown and the temperature reads 160 degrees F.

    Substitutions

    • Milk - Use dairy-free alternative milk, heavy cream, or half-and-half.
    • Panko Bread Crumbs - Swap Italian bread crumbs, cracker crumbs, or crumbled bread for the panko.
    • White Onion - Use minced red onion in place of the white onion.
    • Dried Herbs - Substitute ¼ cup of fresh, chopped basil and 1 to 2 tablespoons of fresh, chopped oregano.

    Variations

    • Keto - Swap the panko bread crumbs for a keto-friendly alternative.
    • Dairy-Free - Swap the dairy milk in this recipe for a dairy-free alternative. Make sure, however, to use original, unflavored milk.
    • Gluten-Free - Use gluten-free panko bread crumbs or an alternative gluten-free bread crumb.
    • Spicy - Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the beef mixture before forming the meatballs for a subtle kick.
    Cooked ground beef meatballs on a wire rack-lined tray.

    Suggested Equipment

    • Pyrex Prepware 4-Quart Rimmed Mixing Bowl
    • OXO Good Grips Medium Cookie Scoop
    • Checkered Chef Cooling Rack
    • Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Baker's Half Sheet

    Storage

    Transfer cooled meatballs to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

    Can you freeze homemade beef meatballs? Yes, you can freeze homemade meatballs. Store them in a freezer-safe zip-top bag or an airtight container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator.

    What To Serve With Beef Meatballs

    While tasty on their own, meatballs are amplified when coated in a delicious sauce. Whether homemade or store-bought jarred sauce, toss these meatballs in marinara, tomato sauce, alfredo sauce, or pesto. Serve in a toasted bun with cheese or over a bowl of pasta.

    Enjoy beef meatballs with Bucatini Pomodoro, Roasted Red Pepper Pasta, or 20-Minute Cherry Tomato Basil Pasta. Extra ground beef to use up? Try my 30-Minute Bolognese Sauce.

    A plate of spaghetti topped with beef meatballs and sauce.

    Expert Tips

    1. After hand mixing, chill the beef mixture for 30 minutes to an hour to firm up before scooping and shaping.
    2. Use a cookie scoop to help shape the meatballs.
    3. Cook a small portion of the meat in a skillet with olive oil to ensure the meat is seasoned well before shaping and baking.
    4. For easier clean-up, line the baking sheet with foil.
    5. Transfer the cooked meatballs to a tray lined with paper towels to absorb some grease before adding the meatballs to your favorite sauce.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How do you know when meatballs are done cooking?

    The meatballs are done cooking when golden brown, and their internal temperature reads 160°F.

    Can I substitute other ground meats for the beef in this recipe?

    I have not experimented with any other meats other than ground beef. However, this recipe would work well with a 50/50 mixture of beef and another form, such as pork.

    What is the secret to moist meatballs?

    The secret to moist meatballs comes down to two things. Soak the breadcrumbs {or bread} in milk before adding them to the ground meat mixture. This prevents the breadcrumbs from drying out the meat. Also, do not over-mix or pack the meatballs too tightly when shaping. Over-manipulation of the meat results in tough, chewy meatballs.

    If you make the recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe, and let me know what you think in the comments below! Take pictures, tag #sugarylogic, and share them with me on Instagram or Facebook. 

    📖 Recipe

    Beef Meatball Recipe

    Katelyn Theofanis
    This easy all Beef Meatball Recipe is made using ingredients most have on hand - including pantry staples and ground beef. The homemade beef meatballs are moist, juicy, and full of flavor. Enjoy a batch with your favorite sauce.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 15 meatballs
    Calories 100 kcal

    Equipment

    • Baking Sheet Trays

    Ingredients
      

    • ¼ cup whole milk
    • ½ cup panko bread crumbs
    • 1 lb ground beef I used 85/15, grass-fed beef.
    • 1 large egg beaten
    • ¼ cup white onion minced
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
    • ½ teaspoon dried basil
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • ¼ cup parmesan cheese finely grated

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 400° F. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly grease the surface with cooking spray.
    • In a small bowl, stir together the milk and bread crumbs. Allow the mixture to sit for 5 to 10 minutes, until absorbed.
    • In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, egg, minced garlic, minced onion, parmesan cheese, soaked bread crumbs (and any remaining milk), and all of the seasonings. Gently mix with your hands until everything is combined.
    • Using a medium cookie scoop or your hands, round (15) golf ball size balls of the beef mixture. Place onto the prepared baking sheet, about 1-inch apart.
    • Bake for 18-20 minutes, until golden brown and the internal temperature reads 160°F.
    • Serve with your favorite jarred or homemade sauce and cooked pasta.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 100kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 7gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 223mgPotassium: 105mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 39IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 39mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Tag your photo #sugarylogic or @sugarylogic ANY QUESTIONS? Please leave a comment below!

    Did you make this? Leave a review below and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest!

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    1. K

      June 12, 2022 at 12:59 pm

      you forgot the egg incorporation

      Reply
      • Katelyn Ryan

        June 25, 2022 at 1:21 pm

        Thank you for noticing this, you are right. I have added this information to the post and recipe card, thank you. The egg is added alongside the beef and other ingredients.

        Reply

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    Hi, welcome to Sugary Logic! I'm Katelyn. I am an experienced chef and home cook publishing simple and easy recipes here on my food blog, Sugary Logic. Sugary Logic's recipes will save you time and allow you to create fast and easy meals as sophisticated as any restaurant meal.

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