Baked Meatballs Recipe (No Breadcrumbs) - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

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Last updated: · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

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These juicy baked meatballs are ready fast. Made without breadcrumbs, they are low-carb, gluten-free, and one of my go-to weeknight dinners because everyone loves them.

The meatballs are delicious with or without the glaze, but I usually add it since it's so easy to make.

Baked Meatballs Recipe (No Breadcrumbs) - Healthy Recipes Blog (1)

Whenever I'm short on time or unsure what to make for dinner, I take a package of vacuum-sealed ground beef out of the fridge - I always have a few since they keep for so long - and make these baked meatballs.

I'm a big fan of baking. It's a hands-off cooking method that requires far less attention and vigilance than pan-frying. In addition to these meatballs, I also bake these pork meatballs, Asian meatballs, and keto meatballs.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Variations
  • Baked Meatballs Instructions
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Storing Leftovers
  • More Meatball Recipes
  • Foodie Newsletter
  • Recipe Card

Ingredients

Baked Meatballs Recipe (No Breadcrumbs) - Healthy Recipes Blog (2)

Here's an overview of the ingredients needed to make these meatballs. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below.

For the meatballs:

  • Lean ground beef: I use a mixture of 85% lean and 15% fat.
  • To season: Kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
  • Parmesan cheese: I use finely grated parmesan and not coarsely shredded.

For the sauce:

  • Unsweetened ketchup: I get it at Whole Foods or on Amazon.
  • Maple syrup: You can use a sugar-free alternative, as shown in the photo below.
  • Soy sauce: I use reduced-sodium soy sauce in most of my recipes. You can use a gluten-free alternative if needed.
  • Spices: Garlic powder and cayenne pepper.

Variations

  • While I don't recommend using extra-lean (93% lean) ground beef, you can use fattier beef, such as 80% lean or 75% lean.
  • You can make this recipe with ground chicken, pork, or turkey.
  • Sometimes I add more spices - 1 teaspoon of paprika and ½ teaspoon of thyme.
  • Instead of parmesan, I sometimes use ¼ cup of almond flour. But parmesan is more flavorful.

Baked Meatballs Instructions

Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps for making this recipe:

  1. Mix the meatball ingredients in a bowl.
  2. Form them into meatballs.
  3. Arrange the meatballs on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet.
  4. Bake them for 15 minutes at 400°F.
  5. Gently heat the sauce ingredients in a saucepan. Add the meatballs to the sauce and toss to coat.
  6. Serve immediately.
Baked Meatballs Recipe (No Breadcrumbs) - Healthy Recipes Blog (3)

Expert Tips

  • I don't recommend using extra-lean ground beef in this recipe. It's too dry, so the meatballs won't be as juicy.
  • To keep the meatballs juicy, don't overbake them. 15 minutes at 400°F should be enough for them to be cooked through without becoming too dry. However, ovens vary, so check with an instant-read thermometer to ensure they are ready.
  • If you need to feed a crowd, this recipe scales beautifully. I often double it to ensure I have tasty leftovers for several days.

Recipe FAQs

What can you use instead of breadcrumbs in meatballs?

You can make meatballs with no filler at all, just like a burger patty.
If you'd like to use a filler, you can use crushed pork rinds, almond flour, or grated parmesan cheese.

Will meatballs fall apart without breadcrumbs?

No. In fact, if you add too many breadcrumbs, you risk them becoming too dry and falling apart. But when you make them with just ground beef and seasonings, they are perfect.

Can you bake meatballs in the oven?

Yes. Baking is easier than frying - it's a hands-off cooking approach, which I appreciate. The meatballs cook beautifully in the oven and come out evenly cooked.

Do you need a sauce or a glaze?

These meatballs are excellent plain, without any sauce. They are well-seasoned and flavorful. But the glaze is so quick and easy that I usually make it. It adds a lovely flavor to the dish.

Serving Suggestions

I like to serve these baked meatballs on top of something that would absorb the tasty sauce, such as cauliflower rice, mashed cauliflower, zucchini noodles, or hearts of palm pasta.

I also add a vegetable side, such as any of the following:

  • Microwave broccoli
  • Roasted asparagus
  • Roasted green beans
  • Roasted cauliflower
  • Roasted cabbage
  • Roasted carrots

Storing Leftovers

You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days. Reheat them in the microwave, covered, at 50% power. You can also freeze the leftovers for up to three months.

You can also enjoy them cold. One of my favorite lunches is a plate of cold leftover meatballs, hard-boiled eggs, Dijon mustard, fresh-cut veggies, and quick pickles.

Baked Meatballs Recipe (No Breadcrumbs) - Healthy Recipes Blog (4)

More Meatball Recipes

  • Spaghetti Squash and Meatballs
  • Turkey Meatballs
  • Keto Meatballs
  • Spicy Meatballs

Recipe Card

Baked Meatballs Recipe (No Breadcrumbs) - Healthy Recipes Blog (9)

Pin Recipe Print Recipe

Baked Meatballs (No Breadcrumbs)

These juicy baked meatballs are ready fast. Made without breadcrumbs, they are low-carb and gluten-free.

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Cook Time15 minutes mins

Total Time35 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 287kcal

Author: Vered DeLeeuw

Ingredients

Meatballs:

  • 1 pound ground beef 85% lean
  • 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt or ½ teaspoon of any other salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese dry-grated (not shredded)

Sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup or a sugar-free syrup
  • 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce or a gluten-free alternative
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with high-heat-resistant parchment paper.

  • In a medium bowl, use your hands to mix together the meatball ingredients: ground beef, kosher salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and parmesan.

  • Form the mixture into 20 meatballs. It's easiest to shape the mixture into a log, slice it into five slices, then divide each slice into four parts and shape those into meatballs.

  • Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, not touching each other. Bake them until they are cooked through, about 15 minutes.

  • Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, whisk together the sauce ingredients: ketchup, maple syrup, soy sauce, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.

  • Five minutes before the meatballs should be done, heat the sauce gently over medium-low heat. If it seems too thick, add a tablespoon or two of water.

  • When the meatballs are done baking, use tongs to transfer them to the sauce. Gently toss to coat. Serve immediately.

Video

Notes

  • I don't recommend using extra-lean ground beef in this recipe. It's too dry, so the meatballs won't be as juicy.
  • To keep the meatballs juicy, don't overbake them. 15 minutes at 400°F should be enough for them to be cooked through without becoming too dry. However, ovens vary, so to ensure they are ready, check with aninstant-read thermometer.
  • If you need to feed a crowd, this recipe scales beautifully. I often double it to ensure I have tasty leftovers for several days.
  • You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days. Reheat them in the microwave, covered, at 50% power. You can also freeze the leftovers for up to three months.

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Nutrition per Serving

Serving: 5meatballs | Calories: 287kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Sodium: 628mg | Sugar: 3g

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Most of our recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate, and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read our Terms of Use carefully before using any of our recipes.

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About the Author

Baked Meatballs Recipe (No Breadcrumbs) - Healthy Recipes Blog (20) Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

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Baked Meatballs Recipe (No Breadcrumbs) - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

FAQs

What is a healthy substitute for breadcrumbs in meatballs? ›

If a recipe for meatloaf or meatballs calls for bread crumbs, you may have success swapping it out for rolled oats or oat flour. Oats by weight are also lower in calories, provide more complex carbohydrates, and are a richer source of dietary fiber than bread crumbs, making them a nutritionally sound substitute.

How important are breadcrumbs in meatballs? ›

Filler ingredients like breadcrumbs or flour are important too because they stop the meatballs becoming dry. The breadcrumbs absorb the juices from the meat as it cooks, trapping them within the meatball.

What can you use to keep meatballs from falling apart? ›

Whether it's breadcrumbs or egg (or both), or simply salt, binding the mince is a crucial step in maintaining the softness of your meatballs while preventing them from falling apart. Try soaking your breadcrumbs in milk for extra moisture and fluffiness.

What do you bind meatballs with? ›

Add a lightly beaten egg, but not too much. Egg acts as a binder for the ingredients, but you only need a small amount. One small egg will do for one pound of minced meat. Alternatively, if you're following an egg-free diet, you could soak fresh bread in milk, squeezing out any excess milk, to use as a binder.

What is the healthiest alternative to breadcrumbs? ›

Coconut flour is high in fibre and healthy fats, making it a nutritious substitute for breadcrumbs. It can be used to bread chicken, shrimp, or vegetables, and then bake or air fry them for a crispy and delicious meal.

What can you use instead of breadcrumbs in meatloaf? ›

What Can You Substitute Bread Crumbs in Meatloaf With?
  1. Rolled Oats: When it comes to breadcrumb substitutes, rolled oats are one of the leading contenders. ...
  2. Crushed Crackers: An equally viable alternative is crushed crackers.
Sep 1, 2023

Do we need breadcrumbs? ›

Breadcrumbs can reduce the number of clicks it takes to move upward in a website's architecture (e.g., from a subcategory to its parent category). And therefore improve UX. On a website without breadcrumbs, users might need to hit the back button multiple times.

Is it necessary to add breadcrumbs? ›

Importance of breadcrumbs in SEO

‍Breadcrumbs help to conceptualize and categorize the content on your page for search engines, which helps in ranking the page higher on the search engine results pages (SERPs).

What's the best way to bake meatballs? ›

Baking them at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes should do it. I bake turkey meatballs for 15 minutes, and bake beef/pork ones for 20–25 minutes to ensure they're cooked through. If you need the drippings to make your sauce, you can scraped them out of the broiler pan bottom.

Why do my homemade meatballs fall apart? ›

ANSWER: Usually when meatballs fall apart, it's the binder that is the problem. Most meatball recipes call for using bread crumbs and eggs. But too much bread crumbs make them too loose, and not enough bread crumbs won't help them hold together either.

What is the secret to making tender meatballs? ›

Another method is not to use meat that is too lean – fat increases tenderness. I have used lean meats and the results are okay but using a fattier meat is pretty key; opt for 15 to 20% fat in your meat. I don't use this one any longer, but a long, low and slow cook with give you very tender meatballs.

Is it better to bake meatballs at 350 or 400? ›

In an oven preheated to 350 degrees F, these meatballs should be fully cooked through and evenly browned in about 30 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the middle of the meatball should read at least 165 degrees F.

Why do people put milk in meatballs? ›

When it comes to adding liquid to meatball mixtures, milk is often used for its versatility, depth of flavor, and richness. Without the use of milk, you may be faced with a plate of dry meatballs. Milk adds a certain level of moisture that helps produce perfectly tender meatballs.

How do you get homemade meatballs to stick together? ›

Egg: A lot of meatball recipes add egg to the mince mixture because it helps to bind the balls together. Breadcrumbs: Breadcrumbs also help to bind your meatballs. If the mince mixture is quite wet, breadcrumbs will help soak up excess moisture so that the balls don't fall apart.

How to make something crunchy without breadcrumbs? ›

Corn Flakes

"Toss them in butter or oil with seasoning and toast in a 325 degree oven for five to seven minutes," Xie suggests. Crush them to smithereens for a smoother coating or leave small chunks of cereal if you're breading chicken. You'll get an extra crunch that way.

What can I use instead of Italian breadcrumbs in meatballs? ›

I suggest using either rolled oats, old-fashioned oats or quick cooking oats in this recipe as the bread/breadcrumb substitute.

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