Description
Delicious and easy Mini Meatballs with Marinara Sauce, perfect as an appetizer or main dish. Made with ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning, these bite-sized meatballs are baked to golden perfection and served with a flavorful marinara sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef (or turkey/chicken)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (or gluten-free alternative)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Sauce & Garnish
- 1 ½ cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- Extra Parmesan cheese for garnish
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined—avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender.
- Form the Meatballs: Shape the mixture into 1-inch diameter meatballs, rolling them evenly. Arrange the meatballs evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet to ensure even cooking.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake the meatballs for 20 to 25 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure they are cooked through.
- Serve: Warm the marinara sauce in a pan over medium heat. Pour the heated sauce over the meatballs or serve it on the side as a dip. Garnish with extra grated Parmesan cheese and freshly chopped basil for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Ground turkey or chicken can be used as a leaner alternative to ground beef.
- Do not overmix the meatball mixture to keep meatballs tender and juicy.
- Ensure meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- Leftover meatballs can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
