Description
Delicious and hearty Ground Beef Meatballs cooked in a rich marinara sauce. This classic recipe combines ground beef with Parmesan, garlic, and Italian seasonings for flavorful, tender meatballs seared to perfection and simmered in sauce to enhance every bite. Perfect for a comforting family dinner served over pasta or with crusty bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatball Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (plain or Italian-seasoned)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 medium onion (finely chopped)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Cooking
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups marinara sauce (for simmering)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Gather all ingredients on your countertop for an organized cooking experience.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, chopped onion, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix gently using your hands until just combined to avoid tough meatballs.
- Shape Meatballs: Form the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter, ensuring uniform size for even cooking.
- Sear Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs in batches and sear until golden brown on all sides, approximately 5-7 minutes. This locks in flavor and texture.
- Simmer in Sauce: Pour marinara sauce into the skillet over the seared meatballs. Cover with a lid and simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes until meatballs are fully cooked through and tender.
Notes
- Use 80/20 beef for best flavor and moisture balance.
- Do not overmix the meatball mixture to keep meatballs tender.
- Breadcrumbs can be plain or Italian-seasoned depending on your flavor preference.
- Simmering the meatballs in sauce infuses them with rich flavor and keeps them moist.
- Serve with spaghetti, in a sub sandwich, or as an appetizer with dipping sauce.
