Who doesn’t love a good meatball? They’re like tiny, round packages of happiness, just waiting to be devoured. Today, we’re diving into the magic of baked meatballs—because who has the time to stand over a frying pan? Let’s get started on making the best baked meatballs, shall we?
Behold the Mighty Meatball!
Feast your eyes on this beauty! The tantalizing, crispy exterior paired with a juicy center that will make you weep with joy! Let’s take a closer look:
Ingredients That Bring the Flavor
Before we roll up our sleeves and get down to business, let’s gather our weapons—uh, I mean ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 pound ground beef (you can mix it up with ground pork for extra flavor)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (the secret to the perfect texture)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (because cheese makes life better)
- 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley (don’t skimp on the green! It’s pretty)
- 1 egg (binding us all together like a crew of superheroes)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (the more, the merrier!)
- 1 teaspoon salt (taste as you go—don’t be shy!)
- 1 teaspoon pepper (a little kick never hurt anyone)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano (because Italian)
- Your favorite marinara sauce (to slather all over these little bites of joy)
Instructions to Meatball Glory
Now that you’ve assembled your ingredients, let’s get to the fun part: making our glorious meatballs!
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (because we want these beauties to bake, not just sit around).
- In a large mixing bowl, toss together the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, egg, garlic, salt, pepper, and oregano. Get in there with your hands—it’s the best part!
- Form the mixture into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Channel your inner architect and try to make them uniform, but let’s be real, they’ll still be delicious regardless of shape.
- Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (easy cleanup is a life hack!).
- Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through. Your kitchen will smell divine—like a five-star Italian restaurant.
- Once out of the oven, let them cool for a few minutes. Then, dunk them in marinara sauce until they are swimming in tasty goodness.
And there you have it! The best baked meatballs that will make your taste buds stand up and cheer. So grab a plate, gather your friends (or just your couch), and dig in!
