How Long to Bake Italian Meatballs at 425 Degrees

This week I’ve been posting a few articles about how long to cook meatballs at different temperatures. This is the last one. More specifically, this one is about how long to cook meatballs at 425 degrees Fahrenheit.

At that temperature, a good rule of thumb is to bake your homemade meatballs for 20 minutes.

Every oven is different so the cooking time will not be the same for everyone. You will know the meatballs are ready when the internal temperature of the meatballs is 165 degrees. You can test the temperature of the meatballs by sticking an instant-read thermometer into their center.

There are many different ways to cook meatballs. Here are some methods that you can try:

1. Bake your meatballs in the oven
2. Fry your meatballs on the stove. Just place meatballs in a frying pan with some olive oil. 
3. Deep fry your meatballs in a deep fryer
4. Cook your meatballs directly in a pot of tomato sauce. Just drop the raw meatballs in a pot of your favorite sauce and let them simmer. 

For this post, I’m going to use the same recipe that I showed in the last two posts. It’s really delicious and easy. Plus, if you want to try other cooking times, you don’t have to change anything. It’s a recipe for meatballs baked in the oven, that’ll get you about 2 dozen 2-inch meatballs from this recipe. 

There are a ton of baked meatball recipes to choose from. I’m not saying it’s the best way to cook meatballs or even that 425 degrees is the best temperature for cooking meatballs. But if you want to make some homemade meatballs, this is a great way to put together a quick meal that everyone will enjoy. 

I might be a little biased, but I think these are the best baked meatballs around.

The Main Ingredients for Meatballs Baked at 425 degrees

Making great meatballs only requires a handful of simple ingredients. Here are all of the ingredients you are going to need to make these amazing meatballs. You can find everything at your local grocery store. 

Meat: There are many different ways to make a meatball mixture. I am suggesting a meat mixture made of ground beef and ground pork. This combination of meats has always worked for me. 

You can make just beef meatballs if you prefer, but the pork adds a lot of flavor. You need enough fat to add flavor and moisture. 

I usually use ground beef that has 20 percent fat content. Lean ground beef needs fat to give it flavor. 

Garlic: Get some fresh garlic cloves and chop them up really fine. 

Parsley: You’ll need fresh parsley. I like using flat leaf Italian parsley chopped really small. 

Grated Cheese: You want a good grated cheese for your meatballs recipe. Pecorino Romano or parmesan cheese will work. Just make sure it’s a good quality cheese. 

Breadcrumbs: For this recipe, I am recommending using bread crumbs because they are quick and easy to use. 

However, if you have the time, I suggest using some 72 hour fermented pizza bianca in your meatballs. Cut the pizza bianca into cubes and soak it in a little bit of milk in a small bowl. This is the best way to add some extra flavor to your meatballs. 

Egg: You need some fresh eggs that will add as a binder for your meatballs. A good rule of thumb is one egg for every pound of meat.

Seasoning: All you really need is Kosher salt and black pepper. If you really love Italian seasoning, you can use it, but I normally don’t. 

Making the meatballs 

The first step is to get your oven temperature ready. A preheated oven set at 425 degrees fahrenheit is important so you can start cooking as soon as your meatballs are formed. 

Now get a large bowl and add all of the ingredients. A large mixing bowl is important because it will give you enough room to really work all of the ingredients together. 

Start mixing everything together so all of the ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the ground meat. For the best results, use your hands to do the mixing. 

When everything is mixed together it’s time to form your meatballs. 

The size of meatballs you make is up to you, but I think the perfect meatballs are the size of a golf ball. 

Here’s a pro tip. When I make meatballs I use a 2-ounce cookie scoop. You will end up with a perfect 2-inch meatball. 

Get a large baking sheet and line it with parchment paper or aluminum foil. For the best results, if you use aluminum foil, spread some olive oil on it so the meatballs don’t stick while they cook.

In a single layer, place the meatballs on the sheet pan giving them plenty of space. By not crowding them on the pan they will cook evenly on the outside giving them a nice crust. You want golden brown meatballs. The caramelization from the heat of the oven will create an extra dimension of flavors. 

Place the sheet pan with the meatballs into the 425-degree F oven for 20 minutes. 

Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Check the meatballs with a meat thermometer to make sure they are 165 degrees in the middle. 

Let the meatballs rest for 15-20 minutes once they come out of the oven.

Meatballs Baked at 425 degrees FAQs

Can I freeze the meatballs after they are cooked?

Yes. I love leftover meatballs. If you make a large batch of meatballs you can freeze them. Let your cooked meatballs cool and store them in an airtight container or ziploc bag and store in your freezer. Frozen meatballs are great to have on hand when you need a quick meal. 

Can I freeze my meatballs in sauce?

Yes. You can prepare meatball parmesan in advance. Take an oven-safe baking dish and add tomato sauce to the bottom. Place your meatballs in a single layer and cover with more spaghetti sauce and mozzarella cheese. Cover the meatballs with aluminum foil and place the prepared baking dish in the freezer. When you are ready to eat the meatballs just take them out of the freezer and cook them in the oven.

Do I have to cook my meatballs at 425 degrees?

No. The oven temperature will vary depending on the length you want to bake the meatballs and their size. If you want to bake them for a longer period of time you should set your oven at a low heat. If you set your oven at higher temperatures they will take less time to cook. Smaller meatballs will also take less time to cook than larger meatballs. 

Can I make meatballs with different types of meat?

Yes. This recipe will work with ground turkey and ground chicken. Chicken meatballs and turkey meatballs are a healthy option if you are looking for something with less fat. 

There are quite a few meat substitutes on the market that will allow you to make vegetarian meatballs. If you decide to try one of these products, I suggest using all of the ingredients in the recipe I have provided, except the meat of course, but cook the vegetarian meatballs according to the instructions on the package. 

Can I substitute garlic powder for fresh garlic?

Yes. If you would like to use garlic powder remember that you should use about ⅛ of a teaspoon for every fresh garlic clove. 

How many meatballs should I prepare per person?

How many meatballs you should prepare per person depends on the size of the meatballs. In my experience, after catering many parties over the years, you can average 2-3 meatballs per person if the meatballs weigh about 2 ounces each. If you are making small balls, make enough to give every person 4-6 ounces of meatballs. 

→ You may also like: Cooking for a crowd: How to Cook Meatballs for 50 People

Do I have to serve the meatballs with pasta?

No. You can serve the meatballs as a main course with vegetables on the side. They go great with sauteed broccoli rabe or green beans. This is a great low carb option if you are trying to lose weight. 

Making meatball subs is also a great way to use up your meatballs. Get some fresh rolls from the local bakery and let the whole family build their own meatball subs. Make a big pot of marinara sauce and meatballs and let everyone help themselves. 

What are some different ways to serve meatballs?

What type of meatballs are you in the mood for? The sky’s the limit. If you are looking for some creative meatball recipes, try the following:

Add red peppers flakes to your tomato sauce and serve spicy fra diavolo meatballs.

Take your baked chicken meatballs and toss them in Buffalo sauce. Serve with blue cheese dressing.

If you have a good turkey meatball recipe, make Thanksgiving meatballs subs with stuffing, cranberry sauce and gravy.