Name: Best Italian Meatball Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 22 min
Total time: 37 min
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef (80% lean); 1 pound ground pork; 2 large eggs; 3 cloves garlic (- minced); 1/3 cup onion (- minced); 1/3 cup shredded parmesan cheese (- freshly shredded); 2/3 cup Italian breadcrumbs; 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes; kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (- to taste); 1/2 cup cold water

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This is the Best Italian Meatball Recipe! Combining beef and pork with the classic meatball ingredients and baking them in the oven – provides an out-of-this world flavor experience. Pair them with a homemade marinara, curry, veggies or pasta for a full and satisfying meal!

Overhead shot of a round white dish of baked Italian meatballs.

Are you a wanna-be Italian like me? You know, the kind that makes homemade meatballs and marinara sauce, and sometimes drinks too much wine? Welcome to the club, because I have a surprise for you. It’s called the BEST Italian Meatball Recipe!

I know you have lots of choices on the web, but I hope you try this one. You can use it for spaghetti and meatballs, make mini meatballs and use it in soup, use it in a curry bowl, or pair it with your favorite sauce for an appetizer. So many choices!

Closeup shot of a white dish of best Italian meatballs.

Ingredients needed for Italian Meatballs:

Ground Beef – I recommend using 80-85% lean ground beef. Any leaner will result in a tough meatball, and that is absolutely no bueno.
Ground Pork – I rotate between using a mild pork, a sweet one, and my favorite, a spicy ground pork! Use whatever you like best.
Eggs – Two eggs help the meatballs stick together, without using any other binder.
Onion and Garlic – Mince your onion and garlic super fine, especially for picky eaters.
Parmesan Cheese – Shred your own cheese. Tastes better and it’s actually cheaper.
Breadcrumbs – I used Italian breadcrumbs. If you are into using homemade breadcrumbs, you will need more binder like milk.
Spices – Red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Staples in my kitchen.
Water – The cold water adds amazing moisture to these meatballs.

Overhead shot of a glass bowl of Italian meatball ingredients, before rolling into balls.

Overhead shot of a baking sheet lined with white parchment paper, with 24 raw meatballs.

How to make the Best Italian Meatball Recipe:

Preheat oven. Set your oven to 375 degrees for starters. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mince veggies. Mince your onion and garlic very finely. Your picky eaters won’t notice them, but WILL notice the amazing flavor they provide.
Combine ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Use your hands to gently mix everything together.
Form meatballs. Then form meatballs. Use your hands and try not to over handle. Over-handling results in tough meatballs. Lay meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake. Bake meatballs for approximately 20 minutes. Check to make sure they are cooked through, and bake for a few more minutes if needed.
Serve. Serve meatballs with homemade marinara, curry, pasta, veggies, or whatever you like.

Side shot of a white dish of baked Italian meatballs.

Kitchen Tools used for this recipe: (Affiliate Links)

Baking Sheet – I use this almost daily.
Parchment Paper Baking Sheets – These fit the baking sheet perfectly.

Make this Italian recipe next: Rigatoni Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli

Please let know if you try this recipe. Be sure to comment and leave a review on the blog so I can see what you think. You can also like my Facebook Page, follow me on Pinterest, and catch me on Instagram.

xoxo ~Sue