10+ Italian Meatball Recipes You’ll Love Trying Today

Italian meatballs have a way of making any meal feel special. There’s just something about those warm, savory flavors that feels like home.

You can make Italian meatballs with simple ingredients and basic cooking steps. They’re perfect for family dinners or when friends drop by.

Pasta, sandwiches, or just on their own—Italian meatballs fit right in. You don’t need chef skills to whip them up, either.

They work for quick weeknight meals or even when you want to impress.

Ingredients

• Ground beef
• Ground pork
• Eggs
• Breadcrumbs
• Parmesan cheese
• Garlic
• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Onion (optional)
• Milk or crushed crackers (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large bowl, mix ground meats, eggs, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic, seasoning, salt, pepper, and onion if you’re using it.
3. Gently combine everything.
4. Shape into meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches across.
5. Put them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
6. Bake 20 to 25 minutes, until they’re browned and cooked through.

1) Classic Italian Meatballs with beef, pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and garlic

These classic Italian meatballs are a go-to for good reason. Mixing ground beef and pork gives you that perfect balance of flavor and texture.

Soaking breadcrumbs in milk keeps the meatballs soft and juicy. Parmesan cheese? It adds a salty punch.

Garlic and fresh parsley bring a fresh kick. You’ll want to serve these with your favorite tomato sauce or pasta—trust me.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound ground pork
• 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
• ½ cup milk
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix meat, breadcrumbs, milk, Parmesan, garlic, eggs, parsley, salt, and pepper in a big bowl.
3. Shape into 1 ½-inch meatballs.
4. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
5. Bake 25-30 minutes, until browned and cooked through.

2) Baked Italian Meatballs seasoned with Italian herbs and Romano cheese

Try these baked meatballs with parsley and oregano for a herby twist. Romano cheese gives them a salty bite that’s hard to resist.

Fresh breadcrumbs keep them moist and tender. Baking instead of frying makes cleanup a breeze.

You’ll get classic Italian flavors in every bite. Serve them with tomato sauce or pasta—can’t go wrong.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup Romano cheese, grated
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 egg
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
3. Shape into 1 1/2 inch meatballs.
4. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
5. Bake 20-25 minutes, until cooked through.
6. Serve warm with your favorite sauce.

For more details on this style, see baked meatballs with Italian herbs and Romano cheese.

3) Authentic Italian Meatballs combining beef, pork, and veal with pecorino cheese

Mixing beef, pork, and veal creates a rich, tender meatball. Pecorino cheese brings sharp, salty flavor that stands out.

Breadcrumbs and eggs hold everything together. Fresh parsley and garlic add a nice aroma.

Shape into small balls—golf ball size works well. Give them a quick bake or pan-fry for a crust, then simmer in sauce to finish.

Ingredients

• 500g ground beef
• 500g ground pork
• 500g ground veal
• 1 cup pecorino cheese, grated
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 eggs
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix all ingredients in a big bowl.
3. Form into golf ball-sized meatballs.
4. Bake on a sheet for 15 minutes.
5. Move meatballs to a saucepan with tomato sauce.
6. Simmer on low for 20 minutes before serving.

4) Juicy Italian-American Meatballs with chicken stock for extra moisture

Want extra juicy meatballs? Add chicken stock or broth to the mix.

Some folks even toss in a packet of unflavored gelatin for more moisture. Using both beef and pork gives great flavor.

Italian herbs, garlic, and Parmesan round out the taste. Letting the meatballs simmer in tomato sauce helps them soak up even more flavor.

Keep them medium-sized for even cooking. With broth and simple seasonings, you’ll never end up with dry meatballs.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound ground beef
• 1/2 pound ground pork
• 1/2 cup chicken stock or low-sodium broth
• 1 packet unflavored gelatin (optional)
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian herb seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

Cooking Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, mix beef, pork, garlic, Parmesan, herbs, salt, pepper, egg, and breadcrumbs.
2. Slowly pour in chicken stock and gelatin, mixing gently.
3. Form into medium-sized balls.
4. Heat tomato sauce in a pan over low.
5. Add meatballs and simmer gently for 25-30 minutes.
6. Serve hot with sauce.

5) Herbed Meatballs with fresh parsley, garlic, and grated cheese

Fresh parsley, garlic, and grated cheese give these meatballs a punchy, herby flavor. The parsley keeps things bright, and the garlic adds just enough kick.

Grated cheese makes them moist and gives a salty edge. These are easy to throw together and great for any meal.

Mix everything, shape into meatballs, and bake until done. They’re perfect with pasta or tucked in a sandwich.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 pound ground pork
• 1 cup fresh chopped parsley
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 eggs

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Soak bread crumbs in milk for 5 minutes.
3. Mix beef, pork, parsley, garlic, Parmesan, soaked bread crumbs, salt, pepper, and eggs in a large bowl.
4. Gently combine.
5. Shape into 1.5-inch meatballs.
6. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
7. Bake 20-25 minutes, until cooked through and browned.

6) Meatballs with a mix of ground beef and pork, enhanced by garlic and Italian seasoning

Beef and pork together make meatballs juicier and more flavorful. Garlic and Italian seasoning add depth without overpowering.

You can toss in fresh parsley or Parmesan if you’re feeling it. These meatballs are perfect for spaghetti or as a quick appetizer.

Bake or pan-fry—either works. Just make sure they hit an internal temp of 160°F (71°C).

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound ground pork
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
• 1 egg
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
3. Form 1.5-inch meatballs.
4. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
5. Bake 20-25 minutes, until cooked through.
6. Serve with sauce or pasta.

7) Simple Ground Beef and Veal Meatballs with Italian spices

Mixing ground beef and veal with classic Italian spices gives you a rich, tasty meatball. It’s not complicated, but it really works.

Garlic, parsley, and Parmesan make the flavor pop. Oregano and basil bring that authentic Italian vibe.

Bake or pan-fry—both ways come out juicy. These pair perfectly with tomato sauce or pasta.

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound ground beef
• 1/2 pound ground veal
• 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 egg
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix all ingredients in a big bowl.
3. Shape into 1 1/2-inch meatballs.
4. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
5. Bake 20-25 minutes, until browned and cooked through.
6. Serve with your favorite sauce or pasta.

8) Meatballs using crushed crackers instead of breadcrumbs and flavored with onion

Crushed crackers can make meatballs surprisingly moist and tender. They soak up milk or whatever liquid you use, helping everything stick together.

Saltines or Ritz both work, and honestly, each brings its own mild flavor. That subtle difference actually goes great with beef or pork.

Toss in some chopped or grated onion. It adds a nice sweetness and a little punch.

Garlic powder and black pepper? Sure, why not. The mix just works, and the meatballs bake up evenly every time.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1/4 small onion, finely chopped
• 10 crushed saltine crackers
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Soak the crushed crackers in milk for about 5 minutes.
3. Add ground beef, onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently—don’t overdo it.
4. Shape into 1 ½-inch meatballs and set them on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through.

9) Tender baked meatballs with Italian-seasoned bread crumbs and Parmesan

Mixing ground beef with Italian-seasoned bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese makes meatballs that are anything but dry. The flavor’s classic, and you don’t need to fuss.

Garlic and fresh parsley? They’re must-haves for me, honestly. A little milk or broth keeps everything from drying out.

Just bake these at 375°F (190°C) until they’re done. They stay juicy and don’t fall apart when you pick them up.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• ½ cup Italian-seasoned bread crumbs
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• ⅓ cup milk or beef broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix gently.
3. Shape into 1.5-inch meatballs.
4. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until fully cooked.
6. Serve them with your favorite sauce—or just eat them as is.

10) Family-style Italian Meatballs packed with beef, pork, cheese, and herbs

You’ll love these family-style Italian meatballs. They mix ground beef and pork for a deeper, richer flavor.

Fresh herbs and cheese bring the taste right back to grandma’s kitchen. Garlic and parsley add a little freshness that balances all that meat.

These meatballs stay juicy, not dry. You can serve them with tomato sauce or just eat them on their own—honestly, they’re good either way.

Breadcrumbs keep them soft and hold everything together. I think that’s the secret to their perfect texture.

Making these meatballs is pretty straightforward. Just combine your ingredients, shape the balls, and bake them.

They turn out best at 375°F (190°C) for about 20 minutes. Easy enough, right?

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound ground pork
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup plain or Italian-style breadcrumbs
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large bowl, mix beef, pork, eggs, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper.
3. Shape mixture into 1 ½ inch meatballs.
4. Place meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Bake for 20 minutes or until browned and cooked through.