Italian Zest Meatballs: Flavor-Packed, Easy Recipe for a Quick Dinner

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These Italian Zest Meatballs are one of my favorite recipes to make for quick weeknight dinners. They’re simple to prepare, packed with flavor, and incredibly versatile. A family favorite!

Meatballs are the perfect recipe to prepare for any potluck, game-day appetizer, and addition to any rotating menu. Not to mention, these meatballs freeze well, making them a great choice to double or triple the recipe for a freezer friendly recipe to enjoy on a later date. The flavor in these Italian Zest Meatballs quickly made them a staple meal within our menu rotation!

Flavor-Packed, Easy Meatball Recipe

When creating recipes, I tend to focus on simple ingredients packed with nutrition, easy instructions, and flavors that make healthy eating fun and enjoyable. These meatballs not only fit those guidelines, they also store and reheat well, making them an ideal option for those hectic weeks!

Ingredients needed:

• Panko Italian bread crumbs 
• Milk
• Beef 
• Italian sausage 
• Minced garlic
• Eggs 
• Parmesan cheese 
• Italian seasoning 
• Parsley 
• Yellow onion 
• Worcestershire sauce 
• Salt
• Black pepper 

Instructions:

1. Make the panade. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the panko and milk until combined.  Set mixture aside to soak for 5 minutes while you begin to gather the other ingredients.
2. Combine remaining ingredients. Add the beef, Italian sausage, garlic, eggs, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, parsley, onion, Worcestershire sauce, salt and black pepper to the same bowl as the panade. Mix with your hands until well combined.
3. Prep the oven and baking sheet. Preheat your oven to 425°F and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
4. Form the meatballs. Using a one-inch scoop, roll the mixture into balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet. 
5. Bake. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer measures the internal temperature to be 160°F. Enjoy!

What to Pair with the Italian Zest Meatballs

What makes this recipe so wonderful is how versatile it can be! You can pair these meatballs with spaghetti squash and a side salad, prepare a meatball sandwich, or top the meatballs over a bed of pasta and pair with a side of oven roasted vegetables, grilled bok choy, or lemon roasted asparagus to make a delicious meal.

If you make this recipe, comment below. I’d love to hear how you incorporated these Italian Zest Meatballs throughout your busy week!

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Italian Zest Meatballs

These Italian Zest Meatballs are one of my favorite recipes to make for quick weeknight dinners. They're simple to prepare, packed with flavor, and incredibly versatile. A family favorite!

Prep Time35 minutes mins

Cook Time15 minutes mins

Total Time50 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Servings: 48 meatballs

Ingredients

• 2 cups panko Italian bread crumbs
• ⅔ cup milk
• 2 pounds beef grass fed
• 2 pounds Italian sausage
• 2 teaspoons garlic minced
• 4 eggs pasture raised
• 1 ½ cup parmesan cheese
• ½ cup yellow onion minced
• 3 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
• 2 tablespoons parsley
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

• Make the panade. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the panko and milk until combined.  Set mixture aside to soak for 5 minutes while you begin to gather the other ingredients.
• Combine remaining ingredients to the same bowl as the panade. Add the beef, Italian sausage, garlic, eggs, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, parsley, onion, Worcestershire sauce, salt and black pepper. Mix with your hands until well combined.
• Preheat your oven to 425°F and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Form the meatballs using a one-inch scoop. Roll the meatballs into balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet. 
• Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer measures the internal temperature to be 160°F. Enjoy!