Baked Italian Meatballs Recipe

Mix Meatball Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, chopped parsley, egg, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Mix until just combined.

Form Meatballs

Shape the mixture into 5 equal meatballs, about 2 inches in diameter, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Sauté Aromatics

In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.

Add Tomatoes and Seasoning

Stir in the canned crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and fresh basil. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat and let it cook for about 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

Bake Meatballs

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Once the marinara sauce is ready, carefully spoon some of the sauce over each meatball on the baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes.

Add Cheese Toppings

After 20 minutes, remove the meatballs from the oven and top each with shredded mozzarella and provolone cheese. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Serve Meatballs

Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving. Serve the meatballs with the remaining marinara sauce and garnish with extra fresh basil if desired.