Meatballs are a versatile food that can be eaten alone or added to many different recipes, such as spaghetti and soup. Often oatmeal is added to a meatball recipe to help the meat and other ingredients stick together while cooking. While your meatballs do need an ingredient to help them hold together, it does not need to be oatmeal. There are many other foods that can be added to your favorite meatball recipe to enhance the taste, as well as to produce a perfectly round and eye-pleasing meatball.
Step 1
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 2
Spray your baking sheet with a generous coating of nonstick cooking spray.
Step 3
Place the ground beef, cheese, bread or cracker crumbs, garlic, onion, egg, salt, pepper, dried parsley and garlic powder in a large bowl. Use a large spoon to gently combine all of the ingredients.
Step 4
Shape the ground beef into 2-inch balls, using your hands. Place each meatball on the sprayed baking sheet as you go, leaving about 1 inch of space between each one.
Step 5
Cover the baking sheet loosely with aluminum foil.
Step 6
Bake the meatballs for 30 minutes.
Step 7
Take the baking sheet out of the oven, and remove the aluminum foil.
Step 8
Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for ifive to 10 more minutes, or until the meatballs are browned and beginning to get crispy on the edges.
Step 9
Remove the meatballs from the baking dish, using a metal spatula. Serve immediately.
Tips and Warnings
- Serve meatballs with your favorite tomato sauce and pasta for a healthy and quick meal. Make mini meatballs, and serve them toothpicks as an appetizer for parties and other gatherings. Season your meatballs any way you prefer. The parsley and garlic powder can be replaced with any herb or spice you like. Add cooked meatballs to a pot of chili, stew or soup to add protein and make the meal heartier.
- Eating undercooked ground beef can lead to dangerous illnesses, such as an E.coli infection, so cook your meatballs thoroughly. The internal temperature should read 165 degrees Fahrenheit according to a meat thermometer.
Things You'll Need
- Baking sheet with a raised edge
- Nonstick cooking spray
- Large bowl
- 1 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup dried bread crumbs or cracker crumbs
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup diced white onion
- 1 large egg, beaten
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp. dried parsley
- 2 tbsp. garlic powder
- Aluminum foil
- Metal spatula
References
- "101 Things to Do with Meatballs"; Stephanie Ashcraft; 2009
- "The Everything Italian Cookbook"; Dawn Altomari; 2005
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