Easy Baked Meatballs
These easy baked meatballs are perfect for making ahead and freezing! They are no-chop, homemade, and very easy to adapt. Skip the overpriced frozen ones at the store! Originally posted October 21, 2014
One time when I was a kid we were having a family gathering and my mom bought root beer. We never had soda in my house growing up, so it was a special treat. I filled my glass to the brim and carried it carefully to the table where everyone was sitting. I settled into my chair…and then knocked the glass over, soaking myself and half the table. I started laughing, which soon morphed into maniacal laugh-sobs, and then I burst into tears.
For years I remembered that as one of the strangest moments of my life, where my brain could not decide between laughing and crying. Now this happens to me all the time.
The other day Charlotte was sitting on one of our barstools and I looked up just in time to see her shocked face as both she and the stool sailed to the floor, practically in slow motion. She burst into tears, of course, and I held her, both of us shaking, her with sobs, me with laughter. I had to keep covering my face so she wouldn’t see. It was funny, okay! In moments like that, as a mom, your emotions dictate laughter or tears anyway, so I take the easy way out.
Lest you think me heartless, let me just say I’m not the only one. I was too late to the hospital to get any drugs when Truman was born, and Eric said later that my primal screaming was so TV-like that he had to keep looking away so that I wouldn’t see him laughing. True story. It’s a good thing I didn’t see him, otherwise he might be missing a limb. I wouldn’t even feel bad. Women can’t be held responsible for any maiming they inflict during labor.
How to make baked meatballs in the oven
The other day I was at Costco looking for the frozen meatballs. I was going to throw them in the crockpot for dinner that night. Then I saw the 20 dollar price tag and decided to make my own.
Meatballs don’t have to be hard. There are lots of delicious recipes out there that call for more elaborate ingredients (like these Chicken Tikka Masala Meatballs, for example) but I wanted something simple that could be used for most any recipe, and that didn’t involve any chopping. No fresh onion or garlic here: embrace the powder. Sometimes you just gotta git er done.
Even though this recipe is just meat and bunch of stuff you already have in your pantry, it’s still really, really good. It calls for a full cup of milk, which makes them really moist.
You could adapt this recipe in so many ways. Just change up the spices, or add real onions instead of onion powder if you’re feeling ambitious. It’s really forgiving. The recipe is adapted from Eric’s grandmother’s famous Swedish Meatballs, which I get compliments on every time (it’s a go-to for bringing meals to new moms) but it is SO easy to make.
How long do I cook meatballs in the oven?
With the oven at 450 degrees, these meatballs bake for about 10 minutes. You want to watch for them to start to brown on the bottom. Once they’re done throw them in whatever sauce, salad, or sandwich you are serving them and eat them hot!
Can I freeze baked meatballs?
Yes! This recipe is perfect for freezing. Make a double batch, that way you always have some on hand for last-minute dinners.
I like to put the baked meatballs separated on pan in the freezer to flash freeze them for an hour or so, so that they don’t stick together in one lump when you throw them in a ziplock. Don’t forget to write the date on the bag! You don’t want to find them in there and wonder if they are a few months or a few years old.
More great meatball recipes!
- Raspberry Balsamic Meatballs
- Chicken Tikka Masala Meatballs
- Easy Baked Mexican Meatballs
- Easy Swedish Meatballs
- Pepperoni Meatballs
- 1770 House Meatloaf with Garlic Sauce
- Sun-Dried Tomato, Basil, and Mozzarella Turkey Meatballs from Snixy Kitchen
- Mini Meatball Sliders with Pesto from Annie’s Eats
- Asian Turkey Quinoa Meatballs from Creme de la Crumb
Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | Twitter
Easy Baked Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs , or quick oats
- 1 & 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 3/4 teaspoon pepper
- 3/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with nonstick spray.
- Add all ingredients to a large bowl. Use your hands to mix everything together. I know, I know, it's gross. Just do it. It works better than a spoon. Don't over mix; this will result in tough meatballs.
- Shape the mixture into walnut-sized meatballs. (Or any size really, as long as they are uniform. Adjust baking times as necessary.)
- Place the meatballs close together (but not touching) on the prepared baking sheet. Bake at 450 for about 10 minutes, or until browned on the bottom. Serve hot.
- To freeze: Let the meatballs cool. Use a fork or spoon to scrape the fat away from the sides. Place the meatballs on the same pan that you just baked them on, without the tin foil. (Just fold it up as you go.) I didn't grease the pan and they came off fine. Place the pan in the freezer and set a timer for 45 minutes to an hour. Transfer the meatballs to a large ziplock bag, seal, and return to the freezer.
Nutrition
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
I forgot to rate the recipe in my last comment…5 stars!
I’ve been making your recipe for about 5 years. These meatballs with spaghetti are my son’s favorite meal…even asking for them on his birthday when he has a choice of restaurants! I had a friend say they were the best she’s ever had. I follow the recipe, leaving out the cayenne and I use a meatloaf mix of beef, pork and veal that out grocery store sells. Thanks so much!
I’m new to cooking, this is the first recipe I have tried today and I’m glad that I was super easy to make and tasted so good. Thanks for sharing it.
I love reading your posts! The real life moments you share are so great ~ funny and interesting always. My favorite was when your husband called your phone to record a supportive message. Something like “you’re doing great honey ~ you’ve got this!” We should ALL have a loved one leave that message on our cellphones. We all need that support most days.
Your recipes are great as well, but almost an unexpected perk, after reading your post. Thanks for your real world, and for making the rest of us feel more normal!
Seriously the best and easiest meatball recipe ever. Have been making these since 2014 from her original post.
I only change one thing…I finely dice the onions as the first time I made them I didn’t have enough onion powder, and well, it turned out great.
I make batches of 300-400 meatballs at a time and freeze them in portions. We use them for meatball subs, spaghetti and meatballs and I pop them in my lunchtime salad for my protein!
On special occasions I will put a cube of mozzarella in the middle and if I have bacon hanging around I’ll wrap the mozzarella stuffed meatball in bacon. My boys can’t get enough of these meatballs.
Lorna, that is awesome! I’m so happy you are enjoying the recipe! You are the meatball queen I think. 400 meatballs!! SO awesome. Thank you for sharing all your tips and tricks! Love the mozzarella and bacon ideas!
Is there a good dairy free substitute for the milk in this recipe?
Hey Melissa! Yes totally! You can use any milk substitute that works for you. Almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk, etc. Sky is the limit here, you just need some liquid in the recipe. Hope this helps! Enjoy!
How do you thaw & heat frozen breadcrumb meatballs
Hi William! I usually thaw them in the microwave. Or you could put thawed meatballs in the oven at 350 for 10-20 minutes. Enjoy!
these look good. can i cook these in my slow cooker?
if so what setting and for how many hours?
please let me know
Hi Heather! No, these need to be cooked in the oven. You can keep them warm for serving in the crock pot though!
I have made these meatballs several times and the whole family really likes them. I am annoyed by your recent email sign up, however. I couldn’t make it go away, even when I submitted my email. Would love at least an “x” button to push!
Hi Margaret! I’m so glad you liked the meatballs! The X button is on the top right!
They came out great- I always use at least a tablespoon of soy sauce and a generous splash of worcestireshire instead of salt, they really add to the flavor!
Ooh that’s a great idea Helen! I will have to try that next time, thanks for the tip!
I have made these several times and have gotten rave reviews hand them out to family lol like they are candy. I have to stop that because then I don’t have any left. Usually make 6 pounds 4 lbs ground beef 2 pounds of sausage with cooked onion and garlic ;) sorry lol
Your family must love you!! It sounds so good. Good idea with the sausage. smart!
Hey there! I love the idea of cooking you’re own more eat all meatballs! But I wanted to know if this would work with ground turkey as well? Thanks!
Hey Jessica! I’ve never tried it with ground turkey! It would be a lot drier. Turkey doesn’t have a lot of fat, and fat is what makes a good meatball. Let me know how it goes!
Hello! I always buy pre-made, frozen meatballs and throw them in the Slow Cooker with my spaghetti sauce. My boys love them (4 boys if you count my husband…haha) and it’s so easy! However, for some reason I feel guilty that they are not “homemade”. I will certainly be trying this recipe, but I just want to use ground beef. To clarify, do I need to use 2 lbs. to make up for the lack of ground pork or can I just use 1 lb. of ground beef? Can’t wait to try these…thank you!
Hey Allison! If you make these using all ground beef, they will be tough and dry. The pork is there to add more fat which makes for a juicy meatball. But whatever meat you choose to use, use an equal amount to what’s called for in the recipe :) Hope this helps!
Thank you for being someone who recognizes that not all of us want to be chiefs have every kind of ingredient know to man.
THANK YOU!!! Can’t wait to make this recipe today
Haha! I hear you Paula! Sometimes you just don’t need everything to be 100% fresh because TIME. haha. Thanks for the comment, hope you enjoy the meatballs!
These sound great! About how many meatballs does it make?
Hey Jocelyn! I’ve never counted exactly and it totally depends on how big you shape them, but I would say at least 50!
These sound so delicious! I’ve been looking for a recipe that doesn’t use cheese, since I’m lactose intolerant, and you’d be surprised at how hard that is to find.
Just wondering: If cooking from frozen, what temperature should the oven be & how long should they cook?
Hey Mikayla! So glad you found some cheese free meatballs! I just made these the other day with almondmilk for a friend with a dairy allergy. They turned out great.
As for baking after frozen, I don’t actually know. I always bake mine first, THEN freeze, so that they are completely cooked when I go to use them later. If you freeze them raw, then maybe defrost them first.
Always made my meatballs in the frying pan. As I turn them, they tend to become misshapen. I really like the idea of doing in the oven. Your recipe sounds delicious and I will definely try.
On another note, one evening my husband and I were out at a club. Happened to notice my sister and her iiance were there at another table. She did not live close and in my excitement, I rushed over to see them and the other couple they were with. My arms spread out ready to give her a hug and I managed to hit and knock over every glass on the table. Needless to say all with full drinks. This was the first time I had ever met the other couple they were with and to this day, they have never let me live down how we first met. Guess we all have our times we want to cry or laugh.
Haha!! Sometimes we just can’t control our excitement right?? That is so funny. I hope you enjoy the meatballs Joan! Let me know how it goes!
What’s the serving size for a single recipe? I’m going to a Pampered Chef make and take dinner workshop and need essentially 64 oz of meatballs! The shopping list says 2 (32 oz) bags of meatballs, but I’d much rather make these than go buy them! That’s just me!
Hey Melissa! This recipe makes 2 lbs, and 64 ounces is 4 pounds. So just double this recipe and you should be good to go! Have fun at your workshop!
Thank you!!!
Just made these meatballs. I usually test setting out before I make a big batch, but your recipes have not failed me yet! So I tripled the recipe. I held back on the cayenne, using the smaller amount suggested, and O-M-G they are so good. I might add some fresh corriander to them next time instead of the cayenne, but I’ll definitely make a single batch since I’m potentially bastardizimg your recipe.
Thanks. ….Now to go sneak a few more before I flash freeze them.
I’m so glad you love them Lorna! And I’m happy to hear that my recipes have yet to fail you! please, feel free to triple the batch with the coriander, if you like coriander, then it will taste great :) If you are unsure, then try frying a little piece of the meat first to taste test it. Thanks so much for the review Lorna!
Karen, I have to tell you that you are the BEST writer! Truth time? Most other food blogs I follow I just kind of skim thru real quick. But when your blog pops up in my reader? I pause the music I’m listening to in my headphones and read every. single. world. and love all of it! You’re truly talented. Hope you’re not blushing too much : )
I love the idea of freezing meatballs! I could have dinner ready in a snap with these babies waiting for me in the freezer.
Oh my gosh Natalie you are so sweet!! I just read that like 3 times it made me feel so good :) And yes I’m still blushing. Thanks lady! PS I can’t believe you pause the music lol. That makes me feel like a brand new teacher who is shocked when students take notes on their lecture for the first time. Like, what, you actually care what I’m saying?? :)
I’m so glad! It’s all the TRUTH! I just really like reading your blog : ) And sometimes it’s music, sometimes it’s podcasts, but I don’t want any distractions when reading your fun anecdotes. *hugs!*
Thanks so much Natalie!! Hugs back!!
Growing up we had meatballs all the time – I think my dad loved them – and we always fried them in the electric frying pan. We used the crusty bits to make ‘country’ gravy – so good! It was a long time before I knew you could bake meatballs, these look great :)
okay, but crusty fried meatballs sounds AWESOME mom!! I thought you only ate enchilada loaf and beans growing up? :) We need to fry meatballs sometime!
Hahaha! Someday I’ll have to recreate all the foods we ate – at least 2 dozen recipes, I bet :) Remind me and we’ll do meatballs at Christmas!
I love making meatballs at home now. . and yes it might have to do with the fact that they are so expensive to buy but so easy to make!!! love these!! and great idea to make a big batch and freeze!!
Thanks Alice! I can’t say that I’ll never buy frozen meatballs again, because sometime life, you know? haha. But homemade ones are just so easy when you have an extra hour!
We didn’t get soda much as kids either, but one Christmas we got a two liter of Cherry 7-Up… which we promptly mixed with egg nog (DISGUSTING) and called a “tradition”. We never had it again, but if you ask any of the cousins present that Christmas, we’ll tell you it was a very, VERY important part of our childhood. :)
Also… I LOVE easy things I can freeze! Nothing makes me happy like eating something I worked for a long time ago!
Those look so delicious! I love making meals that can just be saved in the freezer for a busy day! Thanks for sharing the recipe, and especially thanks for sharing your funny stories. Glad I’m not the only one who laughs when my kid gets hurt (non-serious injuries only, of course)!
Can spaghetti dinner get any easier? Perfection!
Pinned.
Happy Wednesday! Hope it’s a great one Karen.
Bahaha – It seems Charlotte and I have something in common: our inability to stay upright on bar stools. This is like the opposite of laugh so hard you cry: Cry so hard you laugh. (Or just laugh at other people crying…jerk).
I made baked meatballs a few months ago, and I was surprised how moist they were!!
I do gotta admit that costco meatballs are quite good, though!
I’m totally with you Karishma. Costco meatballs are bomb!!
Hi Karen, my sisters and I used to laugh manically around the table for no reason, we would always get in so much trouble. Fast forward, we kind of still do the same thing. Love these meatballs, 20 dollars seems like a lot even for Costco.
In Costco’s defense, it was 20 bucks for 6 pounds of meatballs, which is pretty good steal for something premade, right? I honestly was considering my freezer space too. (My freezer. It’s like it wants to grow up to be a shoebox or something.) And aren’t sisters just the best? The ones you can laugh maniacally with I mean :)
You read my mind! After I spend all working and trying to fit in blogging while making dinner, the last thing I want to do is chop up garlic and onion and slave away in the kitchen.
Isn’t it so funny that after all day cooking for out food blog, dinner is such a chore? I totally hear you!! Bring on the powder.
I always laugh when my husband trips over something or stubs his toe. It’s SO mean, but I CANNOT control it. I think I have a mental illness or something! Now he just pretty much expects me to laugh!
Oh my gosh, stubbing toes are NO JOKE around here. For some reason both Eric and I act like it’s THE END OF THE WORLD when toes get stubbed (our own, I mean. I know I for one am biting my fist when it happens to him, but I would never let him see! Don’t tell!)
Was just thinking the other day that it’s been a while since I made meatballs :) I have this recipe I’ve been making over and over but never tried baking. Thanks for the idea. These look awesome!
That’s funny, Katya, I don’t think I’ve ever pan-fried meatballs! It sounds like so much work, haha. It’s probably delicious though, I should try it!
These look great, Karen! And I totally know what you mean about the laughing. It just sneaks out at somewhat inappropriate times every once in a while!
Right Liz?? Glad I’m not crazy. :)
Bahaha oh gosh, my husband would do the same thing to me – he better watch it whenever we have kids – I will flip out if he starts laughing!! lol
And love these meatballs – they sound completely delicious!
He probably won’t be stupid enough to let you see him laugh. I mean, he has SOME sense of self-preservation, I assume? :)
You are not alone in the laughter. Our family tends to take it one step crueler by saying, That’s what you get. But only if they were doing something we’ve repeatedly told them not to, then it’s ok right!?! haha
Anyway Mercedes and Paul keep asking for my “special” meatballs (Costco meatballs with a secret store bought BBQ sauce). Costco didn’t have any! These look super easy and since I’m not about to put actual onions into anything I love the powdered version! Although we will be doing an all beef version here, non of that nasty pig here. :) Mercedes and Paul will be thanking you! :)
Never a bad thing to have a dinner just waiting for you in the freezer! Looks great Karen!
True story Nicole! Thanks lady!
Our household was the same way! We never had soda, and if we did on occasion it was root beer. I have the same problem- durring the most inappropriate times, I usually get the giggles when I should probably be crying or something. I love your stories, they always make me laugh! And these meatballs sound delish.
Root beer is the best!! Not when you spill it though, ha. I’m glad I’m not the only one who’s laughing at the funeral, essentially! Sometimes you just have to you know??
Super easy and great flavors, love these! My boys always want me to buy meatballs but I hate not knowing what is actually in them, so these are perfect.
Thanks Matt! Yeah it’s nice knowing there are no weird preservatives in them. Au naturel. :)
Well this is the best idea ever.
Ha! Thanks Sarah! Sometimes those Costco meatballs are just too tempting, but I wanted to have a homemade version up my sleeve.