Baked Italian Meatballs – a simple and delicious way to make amazing meatballs! Perfect for spaghetti squash, zoodles or meal prep for the week!

Baked Italian Meatballs
Definitely add these to your weeknight menu!
I am all about the easy weeknight meals and these baked Italian meatballs are a new obsession of mine! Just grab a jar of your favorite marinara sauce (check the ingredients if Whole30/paleo), make some simple meatballs, toss them together in a casserole pan and voila! No fuss and little mess! My kind of meal!
Should you Brown Meatballs before Cooking
Short answer – you can if you want to! You can either sear them in a cast iron skillet before placing them in the casserole pan or you can just brown them in the oven before you add the sauce. For this recipe, I like to keep it simple and just throw everything in the oven and forget about it!
Are these Baked Italian Meatballs Meal-Prep Friendly?
Yes! These are such a great thing to make on Sunday afternoon! They take such little effort and they are perfect to have in the fridge to reheat for dinners, lunches or even a nice protein-packed snack!
What to serve with Baked Italian Meatballs
Here are a few serving suggestions and/or side dishes to go along with these!
- Spaghetti Squash (Instant Pot or Oven)
- Zoodles
- Gluten-Free Noodles (not Whole30/Paleo)
- Roasted Broccolini
- Simple Steamed Green Beans
- Shaved Brussel Sprouts





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Baked Italian Meatballs
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 20 meatballs 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Description
Baked Italian Meatballs – an easy and delicious way to make amazing meatballs! Serve over spaghetti squash or zoodles for a Whole30/Paleo option or with your favorite noodles! Also perfect for meal-prep!
Ingredients
Meatballs:
- 1 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1/4 cup almond flour
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon basil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Other ingredients:
- 1 jar marinara sauce (approx. 16oz)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Combine all of the Meatball ingredients in medium mixing bowl and mix thoroughly (using your hands is usually the easiest).
- Take a heaping tablespoon of the ground beef mixture and use your hands to roll it into a meatball. Continue until all the meat is used (you should have around 20 meatballs).
- Place meatballs in medium-sized casserole dish, approximately 1/2 – 1 inch apart.
- Sprinkle the tops lightly with salt and pepper and cover with marinara sauce.
- Cook for 25 minutes or until cooked through.
Notes
- If Whole30/Paleo make sure and check your ingredients on your spaghetti sauce!
- If Whole30/Paleo serve with spaghetti squash or zoodles
Keywords: baked Italian meatballs


Amy Geis says
These are absolutely delicious and are in constant rotation at our house!
Have you tried freezing them?
★★★★★
Kara says
I’m wondering that too. I’m going to cook them with no sauce for a few min less and see how they freeze and then thaw out.
Lisa says
Love this recipe! The only thing I do differently is sear my meatballs prior to baking them. They are delicious!!!
★★★★★
Paige says
I love this recipe because it’s so easy and delicious. My husband and I can both enjoy it. I made it today to meal prep for the week! So excited to taste it and see what my husband thinks!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Thanks, Paige!
Ariana says
We made this for dinner tonight; it’s delicious!! Thank you!!
★★★★★
Erin says
So glad you enjoyed it, Ariana!
Melissa says
This is the only meatball recipe we make! Amazing over your spaghetti squash. We always cook them for 5 minutes before we add the sauce and use extra lean or lean ground beef.
★★★★★
Erin says
So happy to hear that!!! Thanks, Melissa!
Brandy says
What can I substitute for the almond flour? We can not use nut flours. Thanks
Erin says
Hi Brandy – I generally recommend using breadcrumbs in place of the almond flour (although then it won’t be paleo if that is something you are concerned with). Hope that helps!
Nicole says
Could I substitute regular flour, or is the almond flour crucial? Thanks!
Erin says
Hi Nicole! I would use breadcrumbs in place of the almond flour!
Jess says
These were super easy and delicious! I used turkey instead of beef bc that’s what I had. Will definitely make again! Thanks!
★★★★★
Erin says
So happy to hear that, Jess! And that’s awesome to hear it works just as well with turkey! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave your review and feedback – I really appreciate it!
Erica says
Loved this recipe to meal prep for lunches at work, I used 1 pound ground beef and 1/2 pound ground pork and they were so delicious served with spaghetti squash and marinara sauce! I even have leftover meatballs to add to butternut squash for lunches this week!
★★★★★
Erin says
Yay! So happy to hear that, Erica! I love that combo as well! Thank you for taking the time to leave your review + feedback – it is so appreciated!
Grace says
This recipe comes together so quick and I so delicious!
★★★★★
Kaitlyn says
Delicious and so easy!
★★★★★
Erin says
So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Kaitlyn! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave your feedback – it is so appreciated!
Jean says
Easiest and tastiest recipe ever. Everyone loved them. Thanks
★★★★★
Erin says
So glad to hear that, Jean!! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave your feedback – I really appreciate it!