These Easy Creamy Homemade Meatballs are just bursting with flavor and are done in under 30 minutes! These will become your new weeknight fav! Not to mention no frying mess because we are baking them in the oven!
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This dish is so creamy & dreamy, it's just bursting with flavor! It is the perfect weeknight dinner idea when you don't know what to make! This is episode 3 of my sheet pan meal series on instagram! Where I show you how to make easy, fuss-free meals with minimal cleanup!
This was inspired by my other sheet pan meals: Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs & Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders!
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Ingredients for these Easy Creamy Homemade Meatballs Recipe
- Italian or French bread
- Whole Milk
- Yellow Onion
- Grated Carrot
- Garlic cloves
- Ground Beef
- Ground Pork
- Egg
- Seasonings: Garlic powder, Smoked paprika powder, Parsley seasoning, Salt & Pepper
- Olive Oil
- Avocado Oil Spray
- Tomato Sauce
- Heavy Cream
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine all meatball ingredients.
Mix well.
Shape balls with your hands and bake for 20 minutes at 400°F.
Add your cooked meatballs to sauce & serve!
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a small bowl, soak the bread in milk for 5 minutes. Mash it to form breadcrumbs.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, chopped onion, grated carrot, minced garlic, ground beef, ground pork (or more beef), egg, garlic powder, smoked paprika powder, parsley seasoning, black pepper, and salt. Mix well using your hands.
4. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and spray with avocado oil.
5. Form small meatballs, about 1 tablespoon each, and place them on the prepared baking tray.
6. Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, then broil for the last 2 minutes for a golden crust.
7. While the meatballs are baking, prepare the sauce. In a large skillet, combine the tomato sauce, heavy cream, chopped parsley, garlic powder, and smoked paprika powder. Cook over medium heat until the sauce thickens, stirring occasionally, about 15-20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Once the meatballs are done, add them to the sauce in the skillet. Simmer covered on low heat for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
9. Serve the creamy meatballs with mashed potatoes or rice.
Substitutions
1. Italian or French bread: Any type of bread with a firm texture such as ciabatta, baguette, or sourdough can work as a substitute. You can also use breadcrumbs or panko crumbs.
2. Whole milk: You can use any type of milk you have on hand, such as skim milk, 2% milk, almond milk, soy milk, or even coconut milk for a richer flavor.
3. Yellow onion, finely chopped: White onions or red onions can be used as a substitute for yellow onions. Shallots can also work well if you prefer a milder onion flavor.
4. Grated carrot: Grated zucchini, finely chopped bell peppers, or grated sweet potato can be used as substitutes for grated carrot.
5. Garlic cloves, minced: Garlic powder or garlic paste can be used as substitutes for fresh garlic cloves. Adjust the quantity based on taste preference.
6. Ground beef: Ground turkey, ground chicken, ground lamb, or ground veal can be used as substitutes for ground beef.
7. Ground pork: Ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground veal can be used as substitutes for ground pork.
8. Egg: To bind the meat mixture, you can use alternatives like a flax egg (1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons of water).
9. Garlic powder, Smoked paprika powder, Parsley seasoning, Salt & Pepper: You can adjust the seasonings according to your taste preferences. You may substitute with your favorite herbs and spices such as onion powder, cayenne pepper, Italian seasoning, thyme, oregano, or basil.
10. Olive Oil: Any other cooking oil like vegetable oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, or grapeseed oil can be used as a substitute for olive oil.
11. Avocado oil spray: You can use any other cooking spray or brush the baking tray with a thin layer of oil to prevent sticking.
12. Tomato sauce: You can use canned diced tomatoes or crushed tomatoes as a substitute for tomato sauce. Alternatively, you can blend fresh tomatoes to make your own sauce.
13. Heavy cream: For a lighter option, you can use half-and-half or evaporated milk. Alternatively, you can make a creamy sauce using coconut cream or cashew cream for a dairy-free alternative.
Equipment
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- Baking Tray
- Parchment Paper
- Large Skillet
Storage
Refrigerate cooked meatballs in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze cooled meatballs in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in a saucepan or microwave until heated through. Serve with desired accompaniment. Enjoy!
Top tip for Success!
1. Quality Meat and Fat Ratio:
- Choose a blend of ground meats with a balanced fat content for juicy and flavorful meatballs. A mix of beef and pork, or beef and veal, works well. Aim for around 15-20% fat content in your ground meat for optimal flavor and texture.
2. Moisture and Binding:
- Incorporate ingredients like breadcrumbs soaked in milk, grated onion, or finely minced garlic to add moisture and enhance the texture of your meatballs. This helps keep them tender and prevents them from drying out during cooking.
3. Cooking Method for Creaminess:
- After searing or baking your meatballs to develop flavor and texture, finish cooking them in your creamy sauce. Simmer the meatballs gently in the sauce to infuse them with flavor and ensure they stay moist and creamy inside.
FAQ's
While lean ground meat can be used, it may result in meatballs that are slightly drier compared to using meat with a higher fat content.
To prevent meatballs from falling apart, ensure you have a good binding mixture. This typically includes breadcrumbs soaked in milk, eggs, and finely minced onions or garlic. Also, avoid overmixing the meat mixture and handle it gently when forming the meatballs.
Meatballs can be cooked by frying in a skillet for a crispy exterior, baking in the oven for a healthier option, or simmering in a sauce for added flavor. Finish cooking them in your chosen sauce to infuse them with flavor and ensure they stay moist and tender.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Easy Creamy Homemade Meatballs Recipe:
Easy Creamy Homemade Meatballs Recipe
Equipment
- Parchment Paper
Ingredients
Meatballs:
- 3 ounces Italian or French bread crusts removed
- ⅓ cup whole milk
- 1 yellow onion finely chopped
- 1 grated carrot
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 300 g ground beef
- 300 g ground pork or substitute with more beef
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika powder
- 1 teaspoon parsley seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Avocado oil spray
Sauce:
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika powder
- ¼ cup freshly chopped parsley
- Salt & pepper to taste
Serve with: mashed potatoes or rice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a small bowl, soak the bread in milk for 5 minutes. Mash it to form breadcrumbs.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, chopped onion, grated carrot, minced garlic, ground beef, ground pork (or more beef), egg, garlic powder, smoked paprika powder, parsley seasoning, black pepper, and salt. Mix well using your hands.
- Line a baking tray with parchment paper and spray with avocado oil.
- Form small meatballs, about 1 tablespoon each, and place them on the prepared baking tray.
- Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, then broil for the last 2 minutes for a golden crust.
- While the meatballs are baking, prepare the sauce. In a large skillet, combine the tomato sauce, heavy cream, chopped parsley, garlic powder, and smoked paprika powder. Cook over medium heat until the sauce thickens, stirring occasionally, about 15-20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Once the meatballs are done, add them to the sauce in the skillet. Simmer covered on low heat for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve the creamy meatballs with mashed potatoes or rice.
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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