Oven-baked meatballs

In a busy world where time is precious, but health and taste remain important, baking is becoming an increasingly attractive option. Replacing traditional frying, this cooking method not only preserves the authentic flavors of the ingredients, but also offers health benefits.

Cooking in the oven not only eliminates the need for large amounts of oil, thus reducing your intake of unhealthy fats, but it also better preserves the essential nutrients in food. By baking, vegetables retain their vitamins and minerals, and meat becomes tender and juicy without being exposed to extremely high temperatures that can produce harmful compounds.

Thus, oven-baked meatballs are an easy and healthy choice, without compromising on the savory taste. In addition, preparing a classic oven-baked meatball recipe for 4 people takes about 40 minutes, so don't hesitate to try this simple and delicious recipe, which can be customized to bring a dose of health and flavor to every meal.

Contents:

1. Oven-baked meatballs - how to prepare

1.1. Ingredients for oven-baked meatballs for 4 people

2. Oven-baked meatball recipes - how to prepare delicious and healthy options

2.1. Marinated or Swedish meatballs

2.2. Vegetarian or Lenten Meatballs

3. Oven-baked meatballs - what can they be served with?

1. Oven-baked meatballs - preparation method

The process of preparing meatballs involves several steps, from choosing the ingredients to the actual cooking. To begin with, it is necessary to choose from the various types of meat according to your own preferences:

• Chicken: It is lighter and healthier, but requires the addition of additional ingredients to keep the meatballs juicy.
• Turkey: is similar to chicken, but slightly denser, with a more pronounced flavor.
• Beef: has a higher fat content, which makes the meatballs juicier. Cuts such as neck or leg can be used.
• Pork: is often used because it gives the meatballs a special juiciness and flavor. You can choose parts such as the shoulder or neck, which contribute to obtaining a delicious and tasty dish.

Another option is to combine different types of meat to prepare a recipe for oven-baked meatballs to your taste. Once you have decided on the type of meat, you will need to have the following vegetables on hand: 

• Onion: It is essential for intensifying the flavor, it should be finely chopped or grated.
• Garlic: Adds a spicy note and complex flavors.
• Carrot: Grated or finely chopped, it gives a subtle sweetness to the dish.
• Parsley, dill: Provides freshness and a grassy note.

As for the spices in your kitchen, you should not miss salt and pepper, which are the basis of any dish. You will also need paprika, which adds not only an appetizing color to the meatballs, but also a special taste, as well as thyme and oregano, which perfectly complement meat dishes, bringing fresh and complex flavors.

Preparation method

• Step 1: Grind the meat twice to give it a fine texture. Soak the slice of bread in milk, then squeeze it well.
• Step 2: In a bowl, combine the ground beef, squeezed bread, eggs, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and other seasonings of your choice. Knead all ingredients well until smooth.
• Step 3: With wet hands, form the meatballs to the desired size. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet greased with cooking spray so they don't stick and brown nicely.
• Step 4: Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius and bake the meatballs for 25-30 minutes or until they are browned and cooked evenly inside.

1.1. Ingredients for oven-baked meatballs for 4 people

Here are the ingredients you need to prepare the flavorful meatballs:

• 600-800 grams of meat;
• 1 slice of white bread;
• 30 ml of milk;
• 2 eggs;
• 1 onion;
• 2-3 cloves of garlic;
• Cooking spray ;
• Salt and pepper to taste;
• Spices: chopped parsley, dill, thyme, sweet paprika.

2. Oven-baked meatball recipes - how to prepare delicious and healthy options

There are many tasty and healthy meatball recipes that you can prepare in your own kitchen. Whether you choose to prepare Swedish meatballs, marinated meatballs or fasting meatballs, each recipe offers you the opportunity to create a delicious meal in a short time. To have juicy and well-browned meatballs, it is essential to keep in mind a few useful tips and techniques:

• Use quality meat, whether it's beef, pork, chicken, or a mix. Add grated or finely chopped vegetables, such as onion, carrot, or zucchini, to add moisture and make the meatballs juicier.
• Replace the soaked bread with breadcrumbs or ground oats for a healthier meatball. These ingredients help maintain moisture and improve the consistency of the dish, while providing additional nutritional benefits, such as fiber and protein.
• Form the meatballs into equal sized pieces to ensure even cooking. Usually, a size of about 5 cm in diameter is ideal.
• Turn the meatballs halfway through to ensure they brown evenly.
• To make sure the meatballs are cooked through, insert a toothpick into the middle. If it comes out clean, they are done.

2.1. Marinated or Swedish meatballs

Marinated and baked Swedish meatballs are two delicious and versatile variations of this classic dish. Marinated meatballs get their rich, intense flavor from the tomato sauce, which gives them a deep, savory taste. Swedish meatballs, on the other hand, have a unique, delicate flavor, thanks to the blend of spices like nutmeg and white pepper, and are often served with a creamy, sour cream-based sauce. Here's how to make each of these recipes:

1. Marinated meatballs in the oven:

Ingredients:

For the meatballs

• 500g mixed minced meat (pork and beef);
• 1 egg;
• 100 g bread;
• 30 ml of milk;
• 1 small onion;
• 2 cloves of garlic;
• 1 teaspoon of salt;
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper;
• 1 teaspoon of sweet paprika;
• 1 teaspoon of dried oregano;
• 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped parsley;
• Cooking spray.

For the tomato sauce:

• 400 g canned tomatoes or tomato juice;
• 2 cloves of garlic;
• 1 small onion;
• 1 teaspoon oregano;
• 1 teaspoon basil;
• Salt and pepper to taste.

Preparation method:

• Step 1: Start preparing the marinated meatballs by soaking the bread slice in milk and squeezing it well. Then, in a large bowl, mix the minced meat with the egg, soaked bread, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, paprika, oregano, and parsley.
• Step 2: Form the meatballs into the desired size. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and spray them with a little cooking spray.
• Step 3: Start making the tomato sauce by sautéing the onion and garlic in a pan until soft. Then, add the tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer over low heat for 10-15 minutes, until it thickens slightly.
• Step 4: Transfer the meatballs to the tomato sauce and mix gently. Place everything in a baking tray and bake in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius for another 15-20 minutes, until the meatballs are fully cooked and the sauce is well-bound and aromatic.

For a lighter version, you can prepare marinated oven-baked chicken meatballs, replacing the beef and pork. In this case, follow the same instructions, but use ground chicken.

2. Baked Swedish Meatballs:

Ingredients:

• 400 g minced beef and pork;
• 250 ml of milk;
• 50 g breadcrumbs;
• 1 egg;
• 1 onion;
• 1 teaspoon allspice;
• Salt and pepper to taste;
• Cooking spray.

Preparation method:

• Step 1: Soak the breadcrumbs in milk for a few minutes. In a large bowl, mix the ground beef with the soaked breadcrumbs, egg, grated onion, and allspice. Add salt and pepper, then mix well until smooth.
• Step 2: Form small meatballs and place them on a baking sheet greased with cooking spray.
• Step 3: Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius and bake the meatballs for approximately 20-25 minutes, until golden brown and cooked evenly.

2.2. Vegetarian or Lenten Meatballs

There is a variety of vegetarian or fasting meatballs prepared from various baked vegetables, starting from the classic ones to the most innovative ones. Among the classic variants are zucchini meatballs with potatoes and garlic in the oven, which have a delicious and aromatic taste. Before preparing them, you will need the following ingredients:

• 2 zucchini;
• 2 medium potatoes;
• 3-4 cloves of garlic;
• 1 small onion;
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs;
• 2-3 tablespoons of flour;
• 1 egg;
• 200g tofu;
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt;
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper;
• 1 teaspoon of dried oregano;
• cooking spray.

Preparation method:

• Step 1: Peel the zucchini and potatoes, then cut them into small cubes and bake them in a pan greased with cooking spray at 200 degrees Celsius for about 20-25 minutes or until soft and lightly browned.
• Step 2: Once the vegetables have cooled slightly, place them in a large bowl. Drain any excess water, if necessary. Use a fork or a hand blender to puree the vegetables. Add the finely chopped onion, crushed garlic, breadcrumbs, flour, salt, pepper, and oregano. Mix well until you get a smooth mixture.
• Step 3: If using the egg, add it now and mix well. For a fasting version, you can replace it with 2-3 tablespoons of ground flaxseed mixed with 6 tablespoons of water to thicken the mixture.
• Step 4: If you want to enhance the taste of this dish, opt for baked zucchini meatballs with cheese, like tofu. Cut it into small cubes and mix it well into the mixture to give it a more interesting texture and additional taste.
• Step 4: Form small balls from the mixture and place them on a baking sheet lined with baking paper and sprayed with cooking spray. Bake the mixture in a preheated oven at 200 degrees Celsius for about 25-30 minutes.

Another tasty recipe for oven-baked vegetable meatballs is the one with eggplant, chickpeas, and quinoa. This is a unique and flavorful variation, perfect for those who want to experiment with new flavors in the kitchen.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium eggplants;
• 1/2 cup quinoa;
• 1/2 cup chickpeas;
• 1 small onion;
• 2-3 cloves of garlic;
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs;
• 2 tablespoons of flour;
• 1 teaspoon cumin;
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika;
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt;
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper;
• Cooking spray.

Preparation method:

• Step 1: Start preparing the oven-baked eggplant, chickpea and quinoa meatballs by preparing the vegetables. Cut the eggplant into cubes and bake them in the oven until soft. Saute the onion and garlic, then drain the chickpeas well and mash them with a fork.
• Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the baked eggplant, mashed chickpeas, cooked quinoa, chopped onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, flour, paprika, and cumin. Mix well until well combined, then add salt and pepper to taste.
• Step 3: With wet hands, form the meatballs from the mixture and place them on a tray lined with baking paper and greased with cooking spray.

Step 4: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius for about 25-30 minutes, or until nicely browned.