Description
This classic Meatball Parmesan recipe features tender, flavorful meatballs baked to perfection and smothered in rich marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a comforting Italian-American main course, this dish is easy to prepare and ideal for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Toppings and Sauce
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)
- Olive oil, for greasing
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a baking dish or oven-safe skillet with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the ground meat, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper until just combined, being careful not to overmix to keep meatballs tender.
- Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs and arrange them evenly spaced in the prepared baking dish.
- Bake Meatballs: Bake the meatballs for 15–18 minutes until browned and fully cooked through.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Remove the dish from the oven, spoon marinara sauce evenly over the meatballs, then sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese on top.
- Final Bake: Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10–12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Garnish and Serve: Allow the meatballs to cool slightly, then garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley before serving.
Notes
- Serve these meatballs over pasta, inside hoagie rolls for a sandwich, or alongside a simple green salad for a complete meal.
- You can prepare the meatballs ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze them before baking for convenient meal prep.
- For enhanced flavor and texture, try searing the meatballs in a skillet before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 31g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
