Meatball Parmigiana

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This Meatball Parmigiana (also commonly called “Meatball Parmesan”) is a comforting recipe that will fill everyone’s bellies. The hearty from-scratch meatballs are moist and tender, and soak up all of the flavors from the marinara sauce.

I love that this dish works well with several side options, so I can create a brand new meal every time. It keeps dinnertime exciting for the whole family! Meatballs are always a hit in our house, and having a tasty and simple recipe on hand is helpful when we’re trying to decide what to cook.

A spoon holding up a meatball covered in sauce and cheese with cheese hanging from the spoon.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients
Variations
How to Make Meatball Parmigiana
Recipe Tips
Storage Directions
Serving Suggestions
Recipe FAQs
More Delicious Italian Dinner Recipes
Meatball Parmigiana

Choose your favorite sauce to complement the cheesy and flavorful beef meatballs to create a delicious meal or even a unique appetizer idea. However you serve them, everyone will be satisfied, but disappointed once they’re all gone!

If you like easy meatball recipes, you will love this Meatball Sub Bake, Chicken Ricotta Meatballs this Carnivore Meatballs recipe or my juicy, flavorful Olive Garden Meatballs.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It’s a one-pan recipe: The entire recipe is made in a single skillet to save on time and make cleanup easier. It’s perfect if you have minimal time to spend on dinner.
It’s versatile: You can serve this meatball parm recipe with different sauces and a variety of side dishes to make it your own.
It’s ready in 30 minutes: In a flash, you can have delicious meatballs smothered in marinara sauce and melted mozzarella ready for family dinner. It’s so quick!

Ingredients

You will need simple ingredients to make these delicious parmesan meatballs smothered in marinara and mozzarella. It doesn’t get any easier than this list!

Ground beef: I use ground beef for these meatballs, but you can use ground sausage, pork, veal, or any kind of meat that you like. You can even use a combination of proteins.
Eggs: I add eggs for binding purposes, as well as moisture and texture to create a tender yet firm meatball.
Breadcrumbs: Italian-style breadcrumbs give you the classic flavors of a traditional Italian meatball, so it’s my go-to choice. If you prefer plain, that would also work.
Parmesan cheese: Grated cheese incorporates with the other ingredients better than shredded.
Parsley: The fresh flavor and green color of the chopped parsley add subtle brightness and color to the meatballs. You can also use fresh basil, too!
Marinara sauce: Try this recipe with your favorite homemade sauce recipe or your favorite store-bought brand. Any kind works wonderfully.
Mozzarella cheese: You can use fresh, shredded, or sliced mozzarella. I prefer shredded because I like just enough to cover the top.

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.

Variations

Mediterranean: Add feta and chopped olives to the meatball mixture and toss them in a tzatziki sauce for a Greek-inspired twist.
Plant-based: Use plant-based meat for the meatballs, flax egg, and vegan cheese to make this a plant-based meal.
Garlic Alfredo: Use an Alfredo sauce instead of marinara and add fresh garlic to the meatballs for a garlicky cheesy version.

How to Make Meatball Parmigiana

Here are the instructions on how to make this homemade meatball parm recipe. After you mix up the meatballs, be sure to heat your skillet over medium-low heat and add about 1 tablespoon of oil.

Ingredients for making meatball parmigiana in a glass bowl before mixing together.

Step 1: Combine the meatball ingredients. Add all of the ingredients except for the marinara and mozzarella into a large mixing bowl. Mix the ingredients until they are well combined.

Formed meatballs in a cast iron skillet before cooking.

Step 2: Form and brown them. Make 12 meatballs from the mixture and carefully place them into the hot skillet. Brown them over medium-low heat until all sides are perfectly golden.

Marinara sauce covering cooked meatballs in a cast iron skillet.

Step 3: Add sauce and simmer. Pour the sauce over the meatballs. Bring it to a boil, switch it to low heat, and let it simmer until the meatballs are fully cooked.

A cast iron skillet with meatballs covered in marinara sauce and melted cheese.

Step 4: Sprinkle cheese and broil. Finally, sprinkle the mozzarella cheese generously on top, place the skillet into the oven, and broil until the cheese is fully melted. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe Tips

Mix the meatball mixture gently: Try not to overwork or overmix the meatball ingredients, as this can result in tough and dense meatballs.
Use quality ingredients: The quality of ingredients that you use will affect the flavor. You can still find great ingredients without spending a fortune.
Ensure the meatballs are the same size: Ensure the meatballs are formed uniformly. If they differ greatly in size, they won’t cook evenly.

If you love recipes like this with parmesan, you may also enjoy this Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta.

Meatball parmigiana after cooking in a cast iron skillet.

Storage Directions

Storing: Leftover meatball parmigiana should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Reheating: You can reheat the meatballs in the microwave, on the stovetop, or even in the oven. Ensure they are fully thawed if you freeze them.
Make Ahead: Form and cook the meatballs up to 24 hours in advance and store them in the refrigerator. This will save time when you’re ready to prepare dinner.

Serving Suggestions

You can’t go wrong with bread to sop up extra sauce. Try these pizza dough breadsticks or Texas toast with the meatballs parmigiana.
Enjoy pasta with this recipe like pasta Napoletana or summer Alfredo pasta.
A fresh salad makes a great accompaniment to balance the meal. Try this strawberry spinach salad.
Use the leftover meatballs to make a yummy meatball parmigiana sub the next day!

A metal spoon pulling a meatball from a cast iron skillet with steam coming off the top.

Recipe FAQs

Can I bake it in a casserole dish?

Sure! If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, you can transfer the seared meatballs into a baking dish with the sauce and cheese, and finish it in the oven like that.

How do I know when it’s ready?

The sauce will be bubbly and the cheese fully melted. You can also use a thermometer to ensure the meatballs are cooked to at least 160°F.

Can I use precooked meatballs?

Sure. Combine them with the marinara and mozzarella, and pop the pan into the oven until it’s hot and the cheese is melty.

Close-up of a meatball covered in marinara sauce and melted cheese being held up on a metal spoon.

More Delicious Italian Dinner Recipes

If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section, I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!