Christmas Eve Meatballs Bites (Print-Friendly Version)
Juicy beef meatballs with marinara, ideal for holidays—quick, flavorful, and perfect for sharing with loved ones.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meatball Mixture
01 -
450 g ground beef, blend of lean and fatty
02 -
60 g plain or Italian-style breadcrumbs
03 -
25 g freshly grated Parmesan cheese
04 -
15 g chopped fresh parsley
05 -
1 large egg
06 -
2 garlic cloves, minced
07 -
1 teaspoon salt
08 -
0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Sauce
09 -
700 g jar marinara sauce
# How to Make It:
01 -
Preheat the oven to 190°C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
02 -
In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, egg, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently by hand until just incorporated.
03 -
Form the mixture into 2.5 cm balls and arrange evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
04 -
Bake meatballs in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked through.
05 -
While meatballs are baking, heat marinara sauce in a large saucepan over medium heat until just simmering.
06 -
Transfer cooked meatballs to the saucepan with marinara. Gently simmer for 10 minutes to meld flavors.
07 -
Serve meatballs hot, garnished with extra parsley if desired, alongside preferred accompaniments.
# Additional Tips:
01 -
Avoid overmixing the meat; a gentle touch ensures tender meatballs. For a touch of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the mixture. If the mixture feels dry, incorporate a small splash of milk.
02 -
Prepare meatballs one day in advance, refrigerate, and bake just before serving for convenience.
03 -
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze up to 2 months.