Here’s a simple, classic homemade meatball recipe that’s easy and teen-friendly 🍝
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground meat (beef, or beef + pork)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (or crushed crackers)
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 egg
- 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan (optional)
- 1–2 cloves garlic, minced (or ½ tsp garlic powder)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or oregano)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
Instructions
- Mix breadcrumbs + milk in a bowl; let it soak 1 minute.
- Add meat, egg, cheese, garlic, salt, pepper, and seasoning.
- Gently mix until just combined (don’t overmix).
- Roll into golf-ball-size meatballs.
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Cook meatballs, turning, until browned and cooked through (about 10–12 minutes).
Options
- Oven method: Bake at 400°F (205°C) for 15–18 minutes.
- Sauce: Simmer cooked meatballs in marinara for extra flavor.
- No breadcrumbs? Use oats or skip them for firmer meatballs.
If you want, I can tailor this for:
- Chicken or turkey meatballs
- No-egg / dairy-free
- BBQ, Swedish, or Asian-style flavors