This is my favorite quick meatball recipe — My family was just here and dinner was spaghetti and meatballs — had all the ingredients on hand and I like the “simmer” method the best but oven baked will also work well. If I don’t have any homemade sauce on hand my go-to is Raos Marinara or Arabiata style . If you’re a fan of meatballs and spaghetti and who isn’t ? This is quick and easy and you can freeze them in a freezer container for another time. (up to 3 months) This is what I did using garlic powder and onion powder because didn’t have either one on hand but you can use whatever you have. this would also be great on zucchini noodles.

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground beef — I like to use 80% lean ground beef because it’s not dry — you can sub 1/2 lb. of pork if you’d like

1 large egg – beaten

1/4 cup breadcrumbs — flavored Italian style works well here

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

1/4 chopped onion — if no onion use 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

2 teaspoons minced fresh garlic– if no garlic or just want to make it easy use 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder

3/4 teaspoon Kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

if mixture is dry splash in a little bit of milk at a time

I used a small jar of Raos Marinara plus had some leftover sauce — probably 2 cups total if not a bit more it’s not an exact science.

box of spaghetti or macaroni of your choice — shown here is a bucatini spaghetti which is our favorite thick and ropey

*crushed red pepper to serve

*extra parm cheese to serve

Directions:

In a large bowl , combine the meat, beaten egg, breadcrumbs, cheese, onion and garlic, salt and pepper

Don’t over mix just mix enough that all ingredients are integrated

I use a cookie scooper or spoon to scoop the meat mixture and form into small ( 1- 1/2″) balls and place on a plate.

My preferred mode is to bring sauce to a simmer in small sauce pan — I then drop meatballs into simmering sauce and don’t touch for 20 mins on a slow simmer. After 10 minutes you can gently stir if it seems like they’re falling apart leave them alone. I suggest using a cooking spray on bottom of pan so it helps clean up. After 20 minutes I let meatballs sit on hot stove no flame on while I make the pasta ( any kind you like) 1 box is perfect for 4 people. right before adding to the pasta I gently heat up.

If you prefer baking method you can — Pre heat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with spray or foil or silpat baking sheets — honestly just spray works fine– Bake uncovered 17-20 minutes or until no longer pink in the center. Turn after 10 minutes so they cook evenly. Either method works perfectly and some people don’t like sauce some like parm and butter noodles. It’s up to you, whichever method you use will work.