Homemade meatballs are just so mouthwatering good that if you haven’t made them yourself now is the time to start. I don’t know about you but there is something specials about those warm, cheesy, herb filled ball of meat.
Top that with some sauce, pasta, melted shredded cheese and side a homemade garlic cheese bread and you have a little piece of heaven in your mouth!
Don’t worry it’s actually very easy to do and best of all its super customisable! You can enjoy meatballs even if you are gluten free! So let’s get started first with what type of meat to use!
What Type Of Meat For Meatballs?
Now I’ll start of by saying you can realistically use any ground meat to make meatballs. It just depends on the taste you are after. The classic meatballs are made with beef.
But you can definitely use ground pork which has more fat in it, so you’ll get juicer meatballs. If you are on a health kick you might like really like to try and make turkey meatballs.
I really love the flavour off turkey it has its own unique and delicious taste. You can of course do chicken meatballs as well, but you will probably want to up the spices and chicken just doesn’t have the same natural flavours the other meats seem to add to the meatball.
While for this recipe I have put down mince/ ground beef for the meat you can substitute it for whatever meat you prefer!
Ingredients You Will Need
Ground beef/ Mince: You will need some type of ground meat for this recipe. Now I generally always use ground beef but any meat will do.
Egg: I use one large egg for this recipe as it helps keep the meatballs moist as well as holds the meatballs together.
Parmesan Cheese: You can use whatever cheese you have on hand but parmesan cheese just has that bit of an extra kick to it! If you use a different cheese, make sure to shred it in the 2nd smallest setting so it mixes well into your meatballs.
Flour: I personally love using tapioca flour. It binds everything together well, keeps the meatballs moist and is gluten free! You can use any flour you like though. I have never actually made meatballs with breadcrumbs before!
Garlic: You will want to have either fresh or dried garlic
Onion: You will need either fresh or dried onion. I use dried because my kids don’t like the texture of fresh onion in their meatballs.
Salt and pepper: You don’t want to skimp out on the salt and pepper this gives your meatballs that extra delicious kick!
Italian seasoning: I love Italian seasoning in my meatballs. It just gives it an all-round delicious flavour as Italian seasoning is a mixture of several herbs!
How To Use Meatballs
There are many different and creative ways you can use meatballs.
- You can of course make spaghetti and meatballs!
- Put them on top of homemade pizza! Maybe cut them in half first though if you have large meatballs.
- Make a delicious meatball sub with cheese, sauce and even add some fresh capsicum and onion if like!
- Add meatballs to a rice dish.
- Do a baked pasta with meatballs and through in some extra veggies.
Homemade Meatball Tips
Here are a few tips to make your own delicious homemade meatballs!
- Don’t overcook your meatballs. You don’t want tough meatballs!
- You can swap out fresh and dried herbs depending on what you have on hand!
- Use a small ice-cream or cookie scoop to make even sized meatballs. If that’s important to you that is. Personally, I don’t mind, and the kids love rolling the meatballs into balls.
Step By Step Instructions
Meatballs are actually very simple to make. You can make these in just a few simple steps!
- Combine all the ingredients in a bowl until smooth.
- Preheat oven to 400f/200c.
- Either take about 2 tbsp on meat and roll them in your hands to make balls. Or you can use a cookie/ ice cream scoop and scoop the balls out and place on a baking sheet or silicon mat.
- Place meatballs in the oven and cook for about 20 minutes until browned on the outside.
- Take meatballs out, let them cool slightly and serve however you desire!
Easy Homemade Meatball Recipe
Quick and easy homemade meatballs the family will love. Fragrant, cheesy, melt in your mouth meatballs. No fuss easy dinner or lunch!
Ingredients
- 1 kg mince
- 1/2 cup tapioca flour (or any flour will do)
- 1/4 onion chopped and precooked or 1 tsp dried onion powder
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
Combine all the ingredients in a bowl until smooth.
- Preheat oven to 400f/200c.
- Either take about 2 tbsp on meat and roll them in your hands to make balls. Or you can use a cookie/ ice cream scoop and scoop the balls out and place on a baking sheet or silicon mat.
- Place meatballs in the oven and cook for about 20 minutes until browned on the outside.
- Take meatballs out, let them cool slightly and serve however you desire!
Homemade Meatballs Questions And Answers
Why Do Meatballs Have Flour/ Breadcrumbs?
You use flour or breadcrumbs in your meatball to hold the balls of meat together. I have only ever used flour like spelt flour or tapioca flour. If you are wanting a gluten free option tapioca flour works beautifully and you have a nice tender meatball that stays together.
Can I Freeze Meatballs?
Yes, you can definitely freeze homemade meatballs. Just let your meatballs cool completely, lay them on a baking pan and place them in the freezer.
When they go hard place the meatballs in a ziploc freezer bag and you can store several months this way.
When you want to use them just take them out and let them defrost a bit and either cook them on the stove top in some sauce, so they stay moist or place in them in a preheated oven until they are warmed all the way through.