The Best Homemade Beef Meatballs Recipe (Juicy, Tender & Easy)

Homemade beef meatballs in marinara sauce served over spaghetti with Parmesan and herbs, for an easy juicy beef meatball recipe.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: About 33 minutes
Servings: 6
Yield: Approximately 20 to 24 meatballs

There is nothing quite like a batch of homemade meatballs simmering in a rich tomato sauce. These homemade beef meatballs are juicy, tender, full of flavor, and surprisingly easy to make.

This recipe uses 100% ground beef, so you do not need pork, sausage, or a complicated mixture of meats to make delicious homemade meatballs. A combination of breadcrumbs, milk, Parmesan cheese, garlic, onion, herbs, and egg keeps the meatballs moist while adding plenty of flavor.

Serve them with spaghetti and marinara sauce, tuck them into meatball subs, serve them with garlic bread, or make a big batch and freeze some for later.

Once you know how easy it is to make meatballs from scratch, you may never want to buy frozen ones again.

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Homemade beef meatballs in marinara sauce served over spaghetti with grated Parmesan and fresh parsley.

Why You'll Love These Homemade Beef Meatballs

These meatballs are simple enough for a weeknight dinner but delicious enough for a big Sunday pasta dinner.

They are:

• Made with 100% ground beef
• Tender and juicy inside
• Flavorful without being overly complicated
• Easy to bake in the oven
• Delicious with spaghetti or pasta
• Perfect for meatball subs
• Freezer-friendly
• Easy to make ahead
• Made with simple ingredients

Best of all, baking the meatballs means there is no need to stand over the stove frying them in batches.

Ingredients

For the Meatballs

1 1/2 pounds ground beef, preferably 80% to 85% lean

1/2 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs

1/3 cup milk

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1 large egg

1/4 cup finely minced onion

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, or 2 teaspoons dried parsley

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

2 tablespoons olive oil, optional for brushing or drizzling

For Serving

3 to 4 cups marinara sauce

Cooked spaghetti or your favorite pasta

Extra Parmesan cheese

Fresh parsley or basil, optional

The Secret to Tender Beef Meatballs

One of the biggest mistakes when making homemade meatballs is mixing the ingredients too aggressively.

Ground beef becomes firmer the more it is handled. Mix everything just until the ingredients are evenly distributed, then stop.

The breadcrumbs and milk are also important. When breadcrumbs absorb milk, they create a soft mixture that helps keep the meatballs moist as they cook.

This is especially helpful when making meatballs entirely from beef because there is no fatty pork or sausage in the mixture to provide additional moisture.

Using ground beef with some fat also makes a difference. An 80/20 or 85/15 ground beef is ideal for juicy homemade meatballs. Very lean beef can produce a drier result.

How to Make Homemade Beef Meatballs

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheet

Preheat the oven to 425°F.

Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.

Step 2: Soak the Breadcrumbs

Place the breadcrumbs and milk in a large mixing bowl.

Stir them together and allow the mixture to sit for about 5 minutes. The breadcrumbs will absorb the milk and soften.

This simple step helps create softer, more tender meatballs.

Breadcrumbs soaked in milk until soft and moist for tender homemade beef meatballs.

Step 3: Add the Seasonings

Add the Parmesan cheese, egg, onion, garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Mix until combined.

Step 4: Add the Ground Beef

Add the ground beef to the bowl.

Using clean hands or a fork, gently mix the beef with the other ingredients until everything is evenly combined.

Avoid squeezing, kneading, or compacting the meat mixture too much. Overworking ground beef can result in dense or tough meatballs.

Ground beef gently mixed with breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, onion, garlic, parsley, and seasonings for homemade meatballs.

Step 5: Shape the Meatballs

Scoop out portions of the mixture and gently roll them into balls about 1 1/2 inches in diameter.

You should get approximately 20 to 24 meatballs, depending on their size.

Arrange the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.

Lightly drizzle or brush them with olive oil if desired.

Raw homemade beef meatballs shaped into 1 1/2-inch balls and spaced on a parchment-lined baking sheet before baking.

Step 6: Bake the Meatballs

Bake for approximately 15 to 18 minutes, or until the meatballs are browned and cooked through.

Ground beef should reach an internal temperature of 160°F.

For extra browning, place the meatballs under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes at the end of cooking. Watch them carefully so they do not burn.

Homemade beef meatballs baked until browned and cooked through on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

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Homemade beef meatballs recipe infographic showing ingredients and step-by-step instructions for making juicy baked beef meatballs.

Finish the Meatballs in Marinara Sauce

The meatballs can be served immediately after baking, but allowing them to simmer briefly in marinara sauce makes them even better.

Warm your favorite marinara sauce in a large saucepan or deep skillet.

Add the cooked meatballs and gently stir until they are coated with sauce.

Cover and simmer over low heat for approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

The meatballs will absorb some of the flavor from the sauce while remaining tender and juicy.

How to Serve Beef Meatballs

The classic way to serve these meatballs is over spaghetti with plenty of marinara sauce and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

They are also delicious with:

• Meatball subs
• Garlic bread
• Mashed potatoes
• Polenta
• Rice
• Roasted vegetables
• Caesar salad
• Your favorite pasta

Easy Meatball Subs

These homemade beef meatballs are also perfect for meatball sandwiches.

Place warm meatballs and marinara sauce inside a toasted Italian roll. Top with mozzarella or provolone cheese, then place under the broiler until the cheese is melted and bubbling.

Can You Make Meatballs Without Pork?

Absolutely.

Many traditional Italian-American meatball recipes use a combination of beef and pork, and sometimes veal. Pork contributes additional fat and tenderness, but it is not necessary for making delicious meatballs.

The milk-soaked breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, and seasonings in this recipe help create tender, flavorful meatballs using only ground beef.

Using beef that is approximately 80% to 85% lean also helps prevent the meatballs from becoming dry.

Should You Bake or Fry Meatballs?

Both methods work, but baking is one of the easiest ways to make meatballs at home.

Baking allows you to cook the entire batch at once and requires less hands-on work. It also creates less mess than frying meatballs in oil on the stovetop.

Using a relatively hot oven helps the outside of the meatballs brown while keeping the inside juicy.

If you prefer a deeper browned crust, you can pan-fry the meatballs in a small amount of olive oil before adding them to your sauce.

Tips for the Best Homemade Beef Meatballs

Don't Overmix the Meat

Mix the ground beef only until the ingredients are evenly combined. Overmixing can make meatballs dense and tough.

Choose Ground Beef With Some Fat

An 80/20 or 85/15 blend works particularly well. Very lean ground beef can produce drier meatballs.

Soak the Breadcrumbs

Let the breadcrumbs absorb the milk for about 5 minutes before adding the ground beef. This helps keep the inside of the meatballs moist and tender.

Finely Chop the Onion

Grate the onion or mince it very finely so you do not end up with large pieces of onion inside the meatballs.

Use Fresh Parmesan

Freshly grated Parmesan provides better flavor and texture than shelf-stable grated cheese.

Make the Meatballs the Same Size

Keeping the meatballs approximately the same size helps them cook evenly.

Don't Pack Them Too Tightly

Gently roll the meat mixture between your palms. Avoid squeezing or tightly compacting it.

Check the Internal Temperature

Use a meat thermometer if you are unsure whether the meatballs are finished cooking. Ground beef should reach an internal temperature of 160°F.

Can You Make Beef Meatballs Ahead of Time?

Yes. These beef meatballs are an excellent make-ahead dinner.

You can prepare and shape the uncooked meatballs, cover them tightly, and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before cooking.

You can also bake the meatballs ahead of time and refrigerate them until you are ready to reheat them in marinara sauce.

This makes them especially convenient for busy weeknight dinners or meal prep.

How to Store Leftover Meatballs

Allow leftover meatballs to cool before transferring them to an airtight container.

Refrigerate cooked meatballs for up to 3 to 4 days.

If they are stored in marinara sauce, reheat the meatballs and sauce together gently on the stovetop until thoroughly heated.

You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave.

Can You Freeze Homemade Meatballs?

Yes. Meatballs freeze extremely well, which makes this a great recipe to double.

Allow cooked meatballs to cool completely.

Place them on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag.

Freezing them individually first prevents them from sticking together.

For the best quality, use frozen meatballs within about 2 to 3 months.

You can freeze them with or without marinara sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Are My Homemade Meatballs Tough?

Overmixing or packing the meat too tightly when forming the meatballs can make them dense and tough.

Handle the mixture gently and stop mixing once everything is combined.

Why Do You Put Milk in Meatballs?

Milk moistens the breadcrumbs, which helps keep the meatballs tender and prevents them from becoming dry.

Do You Need an Egg in Meatballs?

Egg helps bind the meatball mixture together so the meatballs hold their shape while cooking.

Can I Use Regular Breadcrumbs Instead of Italian Breadcrumbs?

Yes. You can substitute plain breadcrumbs for Italian-style breadcrumbs.

If using plain breadcrumbs, add a little extra Italian seasoning to compensate for the missing seasoning.

Can I Make These Meatballs Gluten-Free?

Yes. Use your favorite gluten-free breadcrumbs in place of regular breadcrumbs.

Check the labels on the Parmesan cheese and marinara sauce as well if gluten is a concern.

Can I Cook the Meatballs Directly in Sauce?

You can, but baking or browning them first gives the meatballs better texture and flavor.

Cooking them first also helps the meatballs hold their shape when they are added to the sauce.

What Sauce Goes Best With Beef Meatballs?

A classic marinara or tomato basil sauce is an easy choice for homemade beef meatballs.

They also work with creamy sauces, mushroom gravy, or other sauces depending on how you plan to serve them.

Final Thoughts

A good homemade meatball recipe is one of those recipes worth keeping around.

These easy beef meatballs are tender, juicy, flavorful, and made entirely with ground beef. Bake them in the oven for an easy dinner, simmer them in marinara sauce for spaghetti and meatballs, or freeze a batch for another night.

They are simple, versatile, and perfect whenever you are craving classic homemade comfort food.

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