meatball appetizer recipes
These savory meatball appetizers are perfect for any gathering, offering a delicious bite-sized treat that is easy to prepare and loved by all. With a mix of ground beef and aromatic spices, these meatballs are baked to perfection and served with a tangy dipping sauce.
Equipment
- 1 mixing bowl
- 1 baking sheet
- 1 parchment paper
- 1 oven
- 1 cooking thermometer optional
- 1 set measuring cups and spoons
- 1 wooden spoon or spatula
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup milk
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup marinara sauce for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, Parmesan cheese, egg, chopped onion, minced garlic, dried Italian herbs, salt, and pepper.
- Using your hands or a spoon, mix the ingredients until well combined, but do not overmix.
- Shape the mixture into 1-inch (2.5cm) meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about an inch apart.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the meatballs are browned and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 160°F or 70°C).
- While the meatballs are baking, heat the marinara sauce in a small saucepan over low heat.
- Serve the meatballs warm with the marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
Feel free to substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
You can make these meatballs ahead of time and freeze them. Just bake them directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
To spice things up, consider adding some red pepper flakes to the meatball mixture for a bit of heat.