Oh yes — these are juicy, cheesy, and baked to golden perfection. Perfect for pasta, subs, or as a party appetizer.
🧀 Ultimate Baked Cheesy Meatballs
Serves: 4–6
Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 for best flavor)
- ½ lb ground pork (optional but recommended for tenderness)
- ¾ cup Italian breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella (plus extra for topping)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For Baking
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- Extra mozzarella for topping (½–1 cup)
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish.
2️⃣ Mix
In a large bowl, gently combine:
- Ground beef & pork
- Breadcrumbs
- Parmesan
- Mozzarella
- Garlic
- Egg
- Milk
- Parsley
- Italian seasoning
- Salt & pepper
⚠️ Don’t overmix — that keeps them tender.
3️⃣ Form
Roll into golf-ball-sized meatballs (about 1½–2 inches). You should get 16–18.
4️⃣ Bake (First Round)
Place meatballs in baking dish and bake for 15 minutes.
5️⃣ Add Sauce & Cheese
Remove from oven. Pour marinara sauce over meatballs.
Sprinkle generously with mozzarella.
6️⃣ Bake Again
Return to oven for 10–15 minutes, until:
- Internal temp reaches 160°F
- Cheese is melted and bubbly
- Edges are lightly golden
🔥 Extra Cheesy Upgrade
For a surprise center, press a cube of mozzarella into the middle of each meatball before baking.
🍝 Serving Ideas
- Over spaghetti
- In toasted hoagie rolls for meatball subs
- With garlic bread
- On their own as party appetizers
If you’d like, I can give you:
- A low-carb version
- A turkey version
- A spicy version
- Or a make-ahead/freezer-friendly version
