How to Make Meatballs

Basic Meatball Recipe

This basic homemade meatball recipe is a good starting point for pasta dinners, soups, sandwiches and other family meals. Once kids learn how meatballs are mixed and shaped, they can experiment with different seasonings and sauces.

Ingredients

• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef

Directions

1. Add the beaten egg, breadcrumbs, onion, salt and pepper to a large mixing bowl and stir together.
2. Add the ground beef and gently mix until the ingredients are evenly combined. Avoid overmixing.
3. Scoop out a small portion of the mixture and roll it between your hands to form a ball about the size of a golf ball or smaller.
4. Continue shaping the mixture until all of the meatballs are formed.
5. Choose one of the cooking methods below and cook until the center of the meatballs reaches 160F on a food thermometer.

Barbecue Meatballs

These easy barbecue meatballs have extra flavor from barbecue sauce, crushed stuffing and onion seasoning. Serve them with noodles, vegetables or another favorite side dish for a simple family dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
• 1/4 cup crushed stuffing
• 1 tablespoon onion soup mix or dried onions
• 1 1/4 pounds ground beef

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Add the egg, milk, barbecue sauce, crushed stuffing and onion soup mix or dried onions to a large mixing bowl.
3. Add the ground beef and gently mix until the ingredients are evenly combined.
4. Shape the mixture into evenly sized meatballs and arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet or baking dish.
5. Bake for about 25-30 minutes, depending on the size of the meatballs, or until the center reaches 160F on a food thermometer.
6. Serve with noodles, vegetables or another favorite side dish.

Meatballs Florentine

Recipe contributed by Christy Agnew, Stephenville, Texas

These homemade beef meatballs are served with tomatoes, spinach and spaghetti sauce over pasta. It's an easy way to add vegetables to a classic spaghetti and meatball dinner.

Ingredients

For the Meatballs

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs or crushed crackers
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• Black pepper, to taste

For the Sauce & Pasta

• 1 can Italian-style tomatoes
• 2 fresh tomatoes
• 1 cup frozen chopped spinach or about 1/2 bag baby spinach
• 2 cups prepared spaghetti sauce
• Cooked whole wheat or regular spaghetti, enough to serve 6
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs or crackers, garlic powder, egg, soy sauce and pepper.
3. Gently mix until the ingredients are evenly combined.
4. Use a small scoop or spoon to portion the mixture, then shape it into evenly sized meatballs.
5. Arrange the meatballs in a single layer in a baking pan and bake for about 20 minutes, or until completely cooked through.
6. While the meatballs cook, add the canned tomatoes, fresh tomatoes and spaghetti sauce to a large deep skillet or saucepan.
7. Cook until the fresh tomatoes begin to soften, then stir in the spinach.
8. Add the cooked meatballs and simmer over low heat until the spinach is wilted and the tomatoes are tender.
9. Add the cooked, drained spaghetti and gently toss with the sauce.
10. Sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese before serving.

Meatball and Ravioli Soup

Small homemade meatballs turn a simple vegetable soup into a hearty family meal. Add ravioli for a filling meatball and pasta soup, or leave it out for a simpler version.

Ingredients

For the Meatballs

• 6 ounces ground turkey or ground beef
• 1 egg
• 3 tablespoons breadcrumbs
• Parsley, as desired
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the Soup

• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
• 1 potato, peeled and diced
• Frozen or fresh ravioli or other pasta, optional
• Parmesan cheese, for serving, optional

Directions

1. Add the ground turkey or beef, egg, breadcrumbs, parsley, salt and pepper to a mixing bowl.
2. Gently mix until combined, then shape the mixture into small meatballs.
3. Place the meatballs in the refrigerator while you prepare the soup.
4. Add the chicken broth, carrots and diced potato to a large saucepan and bring to a boil.
5. Carefully add the meatballs and cook for about 5 minutes.
6. Add the ravioli or other pasta, if using, and simmer until the pasta and vegetables are tender and the meatballs are completely cooked through.
7. Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Homemade Italian Meatball Soup

Homemade Italian Meatball Soup is hearty comfort food with tender beef meatballs, vegetables and pasta in a rich tomato and beef broth. Parmesan and Italian seasoning add plenty of flavor to the meatballs, while small pasta makes the soup filling enough for a family dinner.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

For the Meatballs

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/3 cup flour
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the Soup

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup onion, diced
• 2-3 medium carrots, diced
• 1 (15-ounce) can crushed or diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (15-ounce) can Italian tomato sauce
• 6 cups low-sodium beef broth
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
• 3/4 cup small dry pasta, such as small shells or ditalini
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving, optional

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375F. Lightly coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
2. Add the ground beef, garlic and Italian seasoning to a large mixing bowl.
3. Add the beaten egg, Parmesan cheese, flour, salt and black pepper.
4. Gently mix just until the ingredients are combined. Avoid overmixing, which can make the meatballs dense.
5. Using your hands or a small scoop, shape the mixture into small meatballs about 1/2-3/4 inch in size.
6. Arrange the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly browned.
7. While the meatballs bake, heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
8. Add the onion and carrots and cook for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the carrots begin to soften.
9. Add the tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth and Italian seasoning. Season with salt and black pepper as desired.
10. Bring the soup to a simmer. Add the meatballs and dry pasta.
11. Simmer uncovered for 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta and vegetables are tender and the meatballs are completely cooked through.
12. Stir in the fresh parsley. Ladle into bowls and serve with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.