Skip to main content

Baked Meatballs

Easy homemade meatballs with vegetables and oats for added moisture, flavor and nutrients!
A bowl of baked meatballs made with oatmeal and grated carrot is shown on a placemat.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Makes: 21 meatballs
Nutrition Facts: View label

Ingredients

½ cup finely grated carrot
1 egg
½ cup oats (old fashioned rolled or quick-cooking)
¼ cup skim or 1% milk
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon oregano
1 pound lean ground meat (15% fat or less; try beef, pork, lamb, turkey or chicken)

Directions

  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. Rinse or scrub fresh vegetables under running water before preparing.
  3. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking sheet.
  4. In a large bowl, stir together all ingredients except ground meat.
  5. Add the ground meat and mix in evenly.
  6. Using your hands, shape the mixture into 21 (about 2-inch) meatballs. Arrange the meatballs on the baking sheet with space between each one. Bake in 2 batches or on 2 baking sheets if needed. Wash hands with soap and water after touching raw meat and eggs.
  7. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through (165 degrees F with a food thermometer) and the outsides are browned.
  8. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

Comments

We have substituted ground lamb in this recipe and it was delicious. Our local school district purchased local lamb to be processed and we tested several recipes with our local procurement specialist, this was the best! This recipe will be tested at local schools this school year. With the lamb, it is important to bake them and then remove them from the grease and place it in the sauce for meatball subs. Excess amounts of fat can tend to add an off flavor. This would be a great recipe to quantify! 

This is a nice and simple recipe for meatballs. I like adding oats for some whole grain and veggies that add moisture and flavor. I've made with ground beef and ground turkey and a mixture...all were good. One meal we served the meatballs with Veggie Stew and Stovetop Polenta. Yum!

You might also like...

Recipes A to Z (without photos)

Tomato Pasta Salad
Bowls of colorful spiral pasta with olives and broccoli.

Tomato Pasta Salad

Great make ahead-meal with fresh veggies, Italian herbs and a tangy dressing.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Makes:
6 cups
Pozole with Chicken
Large bowl of pozole soup sprinkled with cilantro.

Pozole with Chicken

Flavorful stew made with hominy, red chile sauce and shredded chicken.
Prepare:
15 to 20 minutes
Cook:
25 minutes
Makes:
6 cups
Lentil Soup
Bowl of green lentil soup.

Lentil Soup

A warm and savory lentil soup seasoned with garlic, chili powder, and cumin.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
6 cups
Magical Fruit Salad
Footed glass dish with a creamy fruit salad. 

Magical Fruit Salad

This 3-ingredient fruit salad is a fun and delicious way to add more fruit to your day!
Prepare:
15 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Vegetables and Turkey Stir-Fry
Plate of rice with a turkey and vegetable topping.

Vegetables and Turkey Stir-Fry

Quick and easy turkey meal with garlic, ginger and whole grain noodles.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
6 cups
Tuna Pasta Salad
Bowl of macaroni noodles with tuna and vegetable cubes.

Tuna Pasta Salad

A perfect dish for any gathering, with macaroni, fresh veggies and a creamy dressing.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
6 cups