One Pan Baked Meatballs

A delicious make-ahead, one pan meatball dinner

Recently I’ve been on a bit of a streak with one pan meals….It must be the season or maybe it’s the craziness of the holidays that has me craving some extra simplicity these days! This one pan meatball recipe ticks all the right boxes - easy clean up [check], delicious [check], all my kids love it [double check].

The ground beef is seasoned in simple, pantry basics like dried oregano and garlic and then rolled into bigger than golf ball sized balls. They are baked until crispy in the oven (no greasy splatter here!) and then smothered in a store-bought jarred tomato sauce then topped with gooey mozzeralla cheese.

Enjoy these meatballs on your favourite crusty bread, over pasta or with a simple side salad.

One-Pan Baked Meatballs

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

• 2 pounds ground beef (or 2 pounds of truly any combination of ground meat)

• 2 large eggs

• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (can sub gluten-free)

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1/4 cup fresh parsley or basil, finely chopped, plus more for garnish

• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

• 1 loaf of good crusty bread, like a sourdough

• 1 (25 ounce) jar of your favorite pasta sauce (mine is Rao’s brand marinara)

• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400F. Grease a 9 x 13 dish with 1 tbsp olive oil.

2. In a large bowl, use your hands to combine 2 pounds ground beef, 2 large eggs, 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes.

3. Roll out large golf-ball-sized portions of the meat mixture and place it into the baking dish. Bake the meatballs for 20 minutes.

4. After 20 minutes, remove the meatballs from the oven and carefully pour off the fat

5. Pour 1 (25 ounce) jar of tomato sauce over top and stir gently (so that you don’t break the meatballs apart) to combine everything together.

6. Lower the oven temperature to 325°F and return the meatballs to the oven for 30 minutes. Then remove from the oven and give everything a gentle stir (don’t break the meatballs)

7. Turn the broiler to high. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese all over the top of the meatballs. Place the meatballs on the top rack of the oven and broil for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese is melted and lightly golden brown. Watch them closely while broiling — all broilers are different and I don’t want you to burn the cheese!

   Garnish with freshly chopped parsley/basil end enjoy!

I am always looking for meals that I can make a little bit extra of so that I have leftovers or enough to put away and freeze for another meal. There is nothing better than finding a gem of a meal, tucked into a corner of the freezer on a long, exhausting day. This recipe also ticks THAT box [check].

Leave me a comment or review if you try this recipe and don’t forget to tag me @christies.lovestory. I love seeing your own kitchen creations!