Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ cup marinara sauce (for serving)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, egg, parsley, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
- Shape the mixture into 1 to 1.5-inch meatballs using your hands or a cookie scoop. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 18-20 minutes until cooked through and golden brown. Alternatively, pan-fry in oil over medium heat for about 10 minutes, turning occasionally.
- If desired, transfer cooked meatballs to a skillet with marinara sauce and simmer on low for 10 minutes to infuse flavor.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use ground turkey and bake instead of frying.
- Add crushed oats or almond flour as a breadcrumb substitute for a different texture.
- Serve with additional marinara sauce, chopped parsley, or grated cheese for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking or Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Gluten-Free (if using gluten-free breadcrumbs)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 meatballs
- Calories: 250 Kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 75mg