Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef or a mix of beef and pork
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup chopped fresh parsley
- ½ cup milk or water
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Optional: red pepper flakes for a spicy kick
Instructions
- Combine breadcrumbs and milk in a small bowl, let soak for a few minutes.
- In a large bowl, add ground meat, soaked breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly.
- Shape the mixture into 1-1.5 inch diameter balls using clean hands or a cookie scoop.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake meatballs on a parchment-lined tray for 20-25 minutes until golden.
- Alternatively, pan-fry in a skillet with a little oil over medium heat for about 10 minutes, turning to brown all sides.
- For a healthier option, cook in a Ninja Air Fryer Pro for 10-12 minutes.
- Serve hot over pasta, with marinara sauce, or in sandwiches. Garnish as desired.
Notes
- Use ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version, adding broth or extra egg if needed.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Reheat in oven or microwave for quick meals.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Pan-frying, Air frying
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Nut-Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs
- Calories: 220 Kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 70mg