Easy and Delicious From Scratch Herbed Meatballs

These Delicious From Scratch Herbed Meatballs are packed with flavor and baked for an easy weeknight dinner, fresh and on the table in under an hour.

My entire family loves homemade meatballs, I mean, who doesn’t… They are so versatile and delicious.

Tuesdays and Thursdays are busy days here on our homestead. They are the two days that are filled with out of the house activities for my oldest two. We wake up early, do chores, get ready for co-op and rush out the door.

After dropping my oldest off at her tutorial program mid-morning, we run back home to get started on homeschooling my 8yr old, do some blog work, a few chores around the house, get dinner started, and then we rush back out to pick her up mid-afternoon.

From there we head straight to swim, occasionally stopping to buy animal feed on the way.

These herbed meatballs are baked in the oven for an easy weeknight dinner that gets a delicious meal on the table without the constant hovering over the stove till every last meatball has been browned.

I prepare them in the afternoon when my youngest is napping, between housework and schooling, throw them in the oven and grab a load of laundry to fold.

If I dont prepare ahead of time, we all too often have resorted to take-out for dinner.

Is it better to Bake or Fry Meatballs?

Nothing beats the caramelization of frying meatballs. However, for those busy times when you just need to get dinner on the table and are going to add these to a sauce anyway, I find that baking is the best way to go.

If you are really concerned with the added flavor or the browning, you can turn your meatballs a few times so that each side gets browned. For me, the flavor difference is minimal and the time I save when making a big batch for my family is more important.

Why Do From Scratch Meatballs fall apart?

In short the answer is the binding. Both eggs and breadcrumbs are used as binding agents here and aid in keeping the meatballs together. However, too much added breadcrumbs and your meatballs become too loose, but too little will also make them fall apart.

Baking is another great tip for keeping your meatballs together since you form them and let the oven firm them up. In the sauce pan, you have to move them around quite a bit more and since they are somewhat delicate, they tend to fall apart.

What does adding milk to Meatballs do?

Adding milk adds moisture, making sure your meatballs dont dry out during the cooking process. Milk also helps to ensure your meatballs are not tough when done.

How do you know the Herbed Meatballs are done?

The best way to know, without cutting one open, is to use an instant read thermometer.

Meatballs are fully cooked at 165 degrees. I like to test 3 at a time to be sure the thermometer is getting a good reading.

Also, make sure the bottom of your thermometer isn’t touching your hot baking sheet.

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Tools you may need

• Cast Iron Baking Pan or Cookie sheet with sides
• Parchment Paper
• 1″ Small Cookie Scoop (I prefer small bite sized meatballs)
• Large mixing Bowl , I have this one and use it for everything.
• Measuring spoons
• Measuring cups
• spoon or spatula
• Food Processor, Ive have this brand for 15 years. It has lasted that long!
• Knife

Ingredients in Herbed Meatballs

• Grass Fed Ground Beef
• Ground Pork (I like the Never Any brand at Aldi)
• Bread Crumbs (I like to grind mine fresh when I have stale bread, but store bought works here too)
• Grated Parmesan Cheese
• Eggs
• Garlic
• Milk
• Parsley
• Oregano
• Italian Seasoning

How to make Delicious From Scratch Herbed Meatballs

In an extra large bowl, add beef and pork.

To a smaller bowl, mix eggs, herbs, milk and breadcrumbs. Set aside to allow the breadcrumbs to absorb the liquid ingredients.

While the breadcrumbs are soaking, finely dice half a cup of onions and 3-5 cloves of garlic. Add to the beef and pork.

Add the grated Parmesan Cheese to meat mixture along with salt and pepper.

Lastly add your soaked breadcrumbs. Mix all the ingredients well by hand or in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment.

Once the mixture is well blended and ingredients are evenly distributed, portion your meatballs to one inch balls. I use a cookie scoop for even measuring and quick work.

Ways I Serve Herbed Meatballs

1. Spaghetti and meatballs with From Scratch Pasta
2. Meatball Subs on Soft Sourdough Hoagie Rolls with Marinara
3. Meatballs and Gravy with Rice or Mashed Potatoes
4. Meatballs and stroganoff
5. Swedish Meatballs
6. Meatball Pizza

Other recipes from our Farm Kitchen

lemonsandlavenderfarm.com/the-best-simple-and-from-scratch-pasta-recipe/

lemonsandlavenderfarm.com/fall-spiced-cinnamon-apples/

lemonsandlavenderfarm.com/tender-and-juicy-roasted-pork-tenderloin-with-herbs/