Description
This Cheesy One Skillet Italian Baked Meatballs recipe is a comforting and flavorful meal featuring tender meatballs simmered in a rich tomato sauce, topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Made in a single oven-safe skillet, this recipe offers a rustic yet elegant dish perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests. The combination of ground beef and pork creates moist, juicy meatballs, enhanced with Italian herbs and garlic. Baking the meatballs directly in the sauce saves time and adds depth to the flavors, while the final cheesy topping provides a luscious, golden finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend for best flavor)
- ½ pound ground pork (adds richness and moisture)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 large egg, beaten
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Topping and Garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley for garnish
Substitutions and Variations
- Gluten-free: Replace panko with gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour
- Dairy-free: Use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan and dairy-free mozzarella
- Leaner option: Substitute ground turkey for pork, adding an extra tablespoon of olive oil for moisture
- Vegetarian: Use plant-based ground meat and ensure cheese is vegetarian-friendly
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: Combine panko breadcrumbs and milk in a large bowl to create a panade, letting it sit for 5 minutes. Add beaten egg, Parmesan, minced garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with a fork. Add ground beef and pork, then use your hands to combine gently without overmixing.
- Form the Meatballs: With slightly damp hands, roll the mixture into 1½-inch diameter balls, approximately 20-24 meatballs. Place them on a plate as you go.
- Create the Aromatic Base: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Cook diced onion for 4-5 minutes until soft and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, avoiding browning.
- Build the Sauce: Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, dried basil, oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to thicken the sauce and blend flavors.
- Nestle the Meatballs: Place raw meatballs carefully into the simmering sauce, partially submerging them. Spoon sauce over the meatballs to keep them moist during baking.
- Bake to Perfection: Transfer skillet to oven and bake for 20 minutes until meatballs are nearly cooked through and sauce is bubbling.
- Add the Golden Cheese Finish: Remove skillet from oven, evenly sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over meatballs. Return to oven for 8-10 minutes until cheese melts and browns slightly. Optionally broil for 1-2 minutes for extra browning, watching carefully.
- Rest and Garnish: Let dish rest for 5 minutes after baking to thicken sauce and ease serving. Sprinkle fresh parsley and basil on top before serving.
Notes
- Overmixing the meatball mixture can make meatballs tough; mix gently.
- Using an oven-safe skillet avoids transferring the sauce and meatballs to another dish.
- If you prefer, brown the meatballs before baking for added texture, but it’s not necessary.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute panko with gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour.
- Dairy-free substitutions include nutritional yeast and dairy-free mozzarella alternatives.
- Ground turkey can replace pork for a leaner meatball, adding extra olive oil to maintain moisture.
- For vegetarian options, use plant-based ground meat and vegetarian-friendly cheese.
- Ensure meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
- Broiling at the end should be done with care to avoid burning the cheese.
