The easiest, juiciest baked beef meatballs using just 5 ingredients. This is the only recipe for meatballs that you will ever need! Perfect served in all your favourite ways, this recipe will become a favourite in no time.
This meatball recipe is the only one that I ever make.
After years of trying to make meatballs in the frying pan and dealing with the hot oil spitting, the meatballs ALWAYS burning on one side, and then the end results being odd shaped and often broken apart from turning, I had almost given up.
Until I discovered that meatballs were not only easier baked in the oven, they actually tasted way better as well!
These meatballs are never dry and come out perfectly every single time.
Ingredients for beef meatballs
You’ll only need 5 ingredients plus salt and pepper to make these meatballs. They really are so simple!
- Beef mince – I like to use a lean mince but not extra lean as I want to keep a bit of fat in there which will keep the meatballs juicy.
- Egg – binds everything together
- Breadcrumbs – I use panko because that’s what I usually have on hand but you can use any that you like.
- Garlic – gives the meatballs that extra flavour.
- Herbs – I use dried parsley and oregano but you could use any really. If you have fresh herbs, that also works well.
How to make meatballs in the oven
To make these meatballs all you need is a large mixing bowl, a wooden spoon and a baking tray.
Start by mixing the beef mince with the egg, breadcrumbs, fresh garlic, herbs and salt and pepper.
I always keep dried herbs in my pantry which makes this recipe even easier but if you have fresh herbs you can certainly use these instead, just up the quantity to 1 tablespoon. I often use a mix of fresh and dried based on what I have available.
Mix everything together with the wooden spoon, or with your hands if you prefer.
Roll tablespoon amounts of the meat into balls using your hands. I like to lightly spray my hands with olive oil before doing this as that ensures the mixture won’t stick to your hands.
Place them on a lined baking tray lightly sprayed with olive oil and bake in a preheated oven for about 20 minutes. I don’t worry about turning them, just throw them in the oven until they are brown on top and that’s it.
How to serve baked meatballs
These meatballs are so versatile – you can serve them any way you want.
My personal favourite is making these as an appetiser for a party alongside a homemade marinara sauce which is perfect for dipping.
More often than not in my house these end up swimming in a bath of rich tomato sauce and served either on pasta or made into a meatball sandwich.
Anyway you serve them, I’m sure they’ll become a favourite in your house just as in mine.
Please share any creations on Instagram using the tag #eightforestlane as we would love to see what you’re making!
More beef recipes:
Cottage Pie
Whole30 Pulled Beef Burrito Bowl
Slow Cooked Curried Sausages
Classic Sausage Rolls
Easy Baked Beef Meatballs
Ingredients
- 500 grams beef mince
- 1 egg
- ⅓ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C and line a large baking tray with baking paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, add all of the meatball ingredients and use a wooden spoon or your hands to mix everything together until combined.
- Roll tablespoons of the meatball mixture between your hands to make balls and place evenly onto the prepared baking tray. Repeat with all of the mixture and then place the tray into the oven to bake for 20 minutes until golden brown on top.
Notes
Sherry MacKay
everybody loves a meatball! and especially baked. i love to make them then throw them into a lemon and caper sauce, the German way. yay the meatball.
Sally
Oh that sounds delicious!