Homemade Meatballsmade with ground beef, breadcrumbs, and just a few other simple ingredients that come together to make one delicious, flavorful meatball.

Homemade meatballs on top of a plate of spaghetti with marinara sauce with grape juice and bread sticks in the background.

This is astraight-forward recipefor meatballs. It takes a little time but the results are just so delicious. Nothing spruces up a plate of spaghetti quite like a good meatball.

They are so good on on top of spaghetti noodles,spaghetti squashorzucchini pastawith somehomemade spaghetti sauce. Add someeasy bread sticks, aChef Saladand someChocolate Mousseand you have a simple three-course meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy.This recipe takes some time butevery step is pretty easyand the result is so worth it.
Flexible. You can use any ground meat that you would like.
Freezer friendly.Thefinishedmeatballsfreezewell so make a double batch and freeze half for use at a later date.
Versatile.You can eat them as they are, add them to pasta, turn them into a sandwich or serve them coated in a barbecue or teriyaki sauce.

Recipe Ingredients

Ground beef: you can use any ground meat in these meatballs
Breadcrumbs
Eggs
Onion
Seasonings:Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Popular Substitutions and Variations

Switch up the type of ground meatyou are using or use half and half of two types of meat. Ground beef, pork, chicken, lamb, turkey, or bison could be used.
You canadd 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheeseto this recipe if you like; it’s delicious.
Make your own breadcrumbsby toasting some bread and then pulsing it in a food processor until it’s in coarse crumbs.

How to Make Easy Homemade Meatballs

Step #1.Put all the ingredients in a big bowl and stir well to combine.
Step #2.Form balls that are about the size of a golf ball.
Step #3.Brown a few meatballs in a large skillet over medium high heat turning them so each meatball is brown on all sides.
Step #4.Place the browned meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 to 30 minutes.

Recipe FAQs

What if I don’t have breadcrumbs?

You can make your own at home by toasting some bread and then pulsing it in a food processor until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs.

Do I have to use ground beef?

No. Any ground meat will work in this recipe. Feel free to use pork, chicken, turkey, lamb, or bison. You can also do half and half of two types of ground meat.

Are these meatballs dairy free?

Yes. There is no cheese or milk in this recipe. But you may want to check the breadcrumbs that you use to make sure there is no dairy in them. Also don’t add Parmesan cheese you want these dairy-free.

How can I make these meatballs gluten free?

You can use gluten-free breadcrumbs in these meatballs and they turn out the same. They are readily available at most grocery stores next to the regular breadcrumbs.

Cooked meatballs on a blue-rimmed white baking sheet after coming out of the oven.

Expert Tips

Using your hands is the best way to combine the ground meat with all the ingredients.
You canmake the meatballs ahead of timeand keep them in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for a few months.
Be sure to chop the onion finelyor it makes rolling the meatballs harder (they don’t want to stick together in a ball if there are big pieces of onion in there).
You can make these with all ground beef or make them with a mix of pork and beef.

Can homemade meatballs be frozen?

Yep! You can evenmake a double batch and freeze half for another meal. After the meatballs come out of the oven, let them cool and then store them in a single layer in an air tight container. Stick them in the freezer for up to 2 months.

How to Serve Homemade Meatballs

Serve over pasta with your favorite sauce and serve it with somedinner rollsand a garden salad.
They are so good onhomemade sub breadwith some marinara sauce and melted provolone cheese.
Turn them intoHoney Teriyaki Meatballsand serve them with a side of rice and roasted broccoli.