Description
This Meatball Parmesan recipe is a delicious and comforting Italian-American classic featuring juicy, seasoned meatballs baked to perfection, smothered in marinara sauce, and topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or a cozy family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Olive oil for baking or pan-frying
Sauce and Topping
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Make Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, chopped parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined to maintain tender meatballs.
- Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into 1½-inch meatballs evenly sized and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake or Pan-Fry Meatballs: Bake meatballs for 18–20 minutes until browned and cooked through with an internal temperature of 160°F. Alternatively, pan-fry them in a skillet with olive oil until browned on all sides and fully cooked.
- Prepare for Baking with Sauce: Reduce oven temperature to 375°F (190°C). In a baking dish, spread a thin layer of marinara sauce.
- Assemble Dish: Arrange the cooked meatballs over the sauce, pour the remaining marinara sauce on top, then sprinkle evenly with shredded mozzarella and additional grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake with Cheese: Bake for 15–20 minutes at 375°F until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden.
- Serve: Serve hot, optionally garnished with extra parsley. This dish pairs excellently with pasta, sub rolls, or a side salad.
Notes
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the meat mixture or sauce.
- You can make the meatballs ahead of time and freeze them before or after baking for convenient future meals.
