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Stovetop Italian Beef Meatballs

These stovetop Italian beef meatballs are tender, flavorful and so delicious! They are quick and easy to make and taste wonderful.

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I cook these on the stovetop by first searing in olive oil then adding sauce of choice, (I love marinara) then simmering in the sauce until they are fully cooked, this makes them moist and extra flavorful but also cuts down on time it would take to bake them.

meatballs in marinara over bucatini

Fresh meatballs taste miles better than any pre-made frozen varieties and honesty take just as long to make so I am an advocate for making your own! These are so easy to pull together, once you start you may never eat frozen meatballs again.

meatballs in a sub sandwich with mozzarella and pepperoncini peppers

What you need to make these stovetop Italian beef meatballs: (printable recipe card below)

Makes ~15 large meatballs or 20 standard meatballs – serves 4-6 adults

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 cup bread crumbs
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil – to cook in
  • 2 – 24 ounce jars of sauce of choice – marinara, red sauce, alfredo, etc.

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, add ground beef, bread crumbs, dried Italian herbs, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, eggs and milk and mix together with your hands. (hands just work the best, but a mixer can also be used with a paddle attachment).
  2. Once mixed together, form into desired size meatballs.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium- high heat and add olive oil then the meat balls.
  4. Brown meatball on each side then add the sauce of choice and bring to a boil then reduce to a low simmer. Cover pan to avoid splatters.
  5. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, depending on the size of the meatball, smaller will take about 10 minutes, larger will take about 15 minutes.
  6. Stir occasionally to prevent burning of the sauce.
  7. Serves with pasta, on sandwiches or on their own and enjoy!

Here are a few other recipes you may love:

Tex Mex Turkey Meatballs
Summer Orzo Pasta Salad
Italian Vegetable and Sausage Pasta

Print Recipe
5 from 5 votes

Stovetop Italian Beef Meatballs

These stovetop Italian beef meatballs are tender, flavorful and so delicious! They are quick and easy to make and taste wonderful.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Dinner, Italian, main course
Keyword: 30 minute, Dinner, Italian, main course, Weeknight Dinner
Servings: 15 meatballs

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 cup bread crumbs
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil – to cook in
  • 2 – 24 ounce jars of sauce of choice – marinara red sauce, alfredo, etc.

Instructions

  • Heat a large skillet over medium- high heat and add olive oil then the meat balls.
  • Brown meatball on each side then add the sauce of choice and bring to a boil then reduce to a low simmer. Cover pan to avoid splatters.
  • Simmer for 10-15 minutes, depending on the size of the meatball, smaller will take about 10 minutes, larger will take about 15 minutes.
  • Stir occasionally to prevent burning of the sauce.
  • Serves with pasta, on sandwiches or on their own and enjoy!