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Baked Beef Meatballs
Tender on the inside with a beautifully browned exterior, these classic baked meatballs are a reliable staple you'll want to keep in your back pocket. Lean ground beef, bread crumbs, and a splash of Worcestershire sauce combine to create a savory, comforting bite. Whether you're piling them over spaghetti, tucking them into a warm sub roll, or serving them solo as a hearty appetizer, they won't disappoint. The simple seasoning blend lets the rich, beefy flavor shine through without overpowering your favorite sauces.
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef
- ½ cup unseasoned dry bread crumbs
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 small onion, finely chopped ( ⅓ cup)
- 1 egg
Instructions
- 1Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine the ground beef, dry bread crumbs, milk, salt, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, finely chopped onion, and egg in a large bowl. Mix gently with your hands just until combined. Overmixing can make the meatballs tough.
- 2Form the mixture into 20 balls, each about 1.5 inches wide. Arrange them in an ungreased 13x9-inch baking pan or on a broiler rack.
- 3Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes. They're done when the centers are no longer pink and a meat thermometer inserted into the center registers 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Notes
- Tip: Use an ice cream scoop to portion the meat mixture quickly and evenly.
- Appetizer size: For smaller portions, form the beef mixture into 1-inch balls and bake for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Stovetop method: To cook in a skillet, place the meatballs in a 10-inch pan over medium heat. Cook for about 20 minutes, turning occasionally, until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Swap: Replace the ground beef with 1 pound of ground turkey or chicken. If using chicken, reduce the milk to 2 tablespoons. Coat the baking pan with cooking spray and bake until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Variation: For a different shape, pat the meat mixture into a 9x3-inch rectangle in your baking pan, cut it into squares, and separate them slightly before baking.