Juicy, fork-tender meatballs; there’s nothing like it! This homemade meatball recipe is easy to follow, making the most delicious meatball you will ever create. Whether serving meatballs with spaghetti or an easy meatball sub, making your meatballs is worth the effort!

When making meatballs from scratch, take the extra step and bake garlic butter breadsticks. You’ll have an entire restaurant-style meal from scratch! 

Homemade meatballs on top of cooked pasta topped with marinara sauce, parmesan cheese and basil.

This homemade meatball recipe is as easy as can be! You must shape the simple meatball mixture and sear on a good crust. The best part is the homemade spaghetti sauce in which the meatballs are cooked. 

Love these meatballs? Recreate our swedish meatballs in gravy to try a a different version of homemade meatballs.

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Meatball Recipe

  • Easy. This recipe is simple and easy to follow.
  • Make it in advance. Make these meatballs in advance and freeze them for an easy meal. 
  • Versatile. These meatballs can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes. 

Meatballs in an Instant Pot:

The best homemade food is easy, and it doesn’t get easier than using the Instant Pot to do most of the work. Enjoy these instant pot meatballs for an even easier meatball recipe!

Homemade meatballs drenched in marinara sauce topped with fresh basil in a casserole.

Ingredients for Homemade Meatballs

The ingredients for this homemade meatball recipe are simple and easy!

  • Ground beef – 85/15 ground beef is best for getting juicy meatballs. 
  • Meatball binder – a mixture of eggs, mayo, and bread crumbs. 
  • Cheese – parmesan cheese adds a great flavor to the meatballs.
  • Seasoning – salt & ground black pepper.
  • Sauce – a homemade tomato marinara sauce with a diced tomato base.

See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and quantities.

Substitutions and Variations

  • Protein – Swap the beef for ground turkey or chicken for a healthier meatball. 
  • Bring the heat – Make these meatballs spicy by adding red pepper flakes to the seasoning. 

Make Meatballs Like a Pro:

  • To get even-sized meatballs, use a cookie scooper or weigh them.
  • Don’t overmix the meatballs – overmixing the meat mixture will cause the meatballs to be overworked and gummy. 

How to Make Homemade Meatballs

Step-by-step instructions make this an easy recipe:

A large mixing bowl of all the meatball ingredients.

1 – In a large bowl, combine all the meatball ingredients.

A large mixing bowl of the meatball mixture.

2 – Use your hands to mix everything into one mixture. 

A baking sheet with the shaped meatballs.

3 – Wet your hands and shape the meat into even-sized meatballs. 

A pot with the seared meatballs.

4 – Sear the meatballs on all sides to get a good crust. Place cooked meatballs in a deep casserole dish.

A pot with the homemade marinara sauce.

5 – Saute the onions, add the diced tomatoes, water, garlic, and seasoning. Simmer for about 5 minutes, then go in with an immersion blender to get a smooth consistency. 

A white baking pan with the meatballs doused in marinara sauce.

6 – Add the sauce to the casserole dish, cover the meatballs and cover with foil and bake. Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy!

A white casserole full of juicy meatballs loaded with marinara sauce topped with fresh chopped basil.

How to ensure the meatballs are fully cooked:

Determine whether the meatballs are fully cooked after baking by checking the internal temperature of the meatballs. Use an instant-read thermometer to check that the meatballs reach 160°F.

Serving Suggestions

A white plate topped with juicy meatballs over a bed of cooked pasta.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use lean ground beef for these meatballs?

You can use 90/10 ground beef and still have incredible meatballs!

Can I use different meat? 

Use a combination of beef and pork, or even chicken, for a slight spin on the classic. 

Do the meatballs need to be fully cooked before putting them into the sauce? 

The meatballs need to be seared before baking them. They will likely be raw on the inside, but they will finish cooking in the oven. 

Why are my meatballs falling apart? 

This is a result of too much binder, a.k.a breadcrumbs. 

Store & Reheat 

  • Storage. Store leftover meatballs in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. 
  • Reheat. Warm up the meatballs on a skillet over medium heat until the meatballs are warmed. 
  • Freeze. You can freeze a batch of the seared meatballs before adding them to the sauce. Keep them in a freezer bag lined with parchment paper for up to 3 months. Reheat: Add the frozen meatballs to a casserole dish and cover with warm tomato sauce. Bake at 350°F for 50 minutes or until the meatballs are reheated. 

More Ground Beef Recipes

If you enjoyed this beef recipe, be sure to try our other easy ground beef recipes: here’s some of my favorites.

If you tried this homemade meatball or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below – we appreciate it!

Easy Homemade Meatball Recipe

Author: Valentina
Print
5 from 7 votes
Homemade meatballs are unbeatable! They don’t compare to the store-bought kind, and you will agree when you try this homemade meatball recipe. Make the most juicy meatballs in less than an hour.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

meatballs –

  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • 1/2 large onion finely grated
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 large eggs whisked
  • 2 Tbsp mayonnaise
  • 1/3 cup plain breadcrumbs
  • 3 Tbsp parmesan cheese
  • 3 Tbsp whole milk
  • tsp salt
  • ½ tsp ground black pepper
  • 2 Tbsp fresh basil chopped
  • oil for sautéing

sauce –

  • 3 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1/2 large onion finely chopped
  • 28 oz diced tomatoes
  • 2 Tbsp water
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp ground black pepper
  • 2 Tbsp fresh basil finely chopped
  • ¼ tsp dried oregano
  • ¼ tsp dried parsley

Instructions

meatballs –

  • Combine the meatball ingredients in a bowl and mix with your hands.
  • Wet your hands and shape the meat mixture into equal-sized meatballs.
  • To a hot pan, add oil and sear the meatballs on all sides.
  • Once the meatballs are seared, add them to a large casserole dish.

sauce –

  • To a saucepan, add oil and butter. Once the butter melts, add in the chopped onion.
  • Once the onion is translucent, add the canned tomatoes, water, garlic, salt, and pepper.
  • Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes, and use an immersion blender to get your desired consistency.
  • Add in fresh basil, dried oregano, and parsley. Simmer for a couple more minutes.

combine –

  • Pour the sauce into the casserole dish with all the meatballs. Cover with foil.
  • Bake in the oven at 375°F for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 3 minutes.
  • Serve, and enjoy!

Notes

  • Refrigerate: Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container for up to 3 days. 
  • Reheat: Warm up the meatballs on a skillet over medium heat until the meatballs are warmed. 
  • Freeze: Freeze the seared meatballs before adding them to the sauce. Keep them in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. To reheat, add the frozen meatballs to a casserole dish and cover with warm tomato sauce. Bake at 350°F for 50 minutes or until the meatballs are reheated. 

Nutrition

562kcal Calories7g Carbs30g Protein45g Fat15g Saturated Fat170mg Cholesterol1416mg Sodium481mg Potassium1g Sugar250IU Vitamin A2.8mg Vitamin C87mg Calcium3.5mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Easy Homemade Meatball Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 562 Calories from Fat 405
% Daily Value*
Fat 45g69%
Saturated Fat 15g94%
Cholesterol 170mg57%
Sodium 1416mg62%
Potassium 481mg14%
Carbohydrates 7g2%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 30g60%
Vitamin A 250IU5%
Vitamin C 2.8mg3%
Calcium 87mg9%
Iron 3.5mg19%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
(The nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)