Do you have a favorite Beef Meatball Recipe? My best meatball recipe is one I make in the microwave. This post contains affiliate links.
One of my guilty pleasures is meatballs. I love meatball sandwiches and pasta and meatballs and meatballs on pizza — especially deep dish pizza. My middle daughter is the same way. The two of us could happily live on meatballs.
Frozen meatballs are ok in a pinch, but I love to make them from scratch. Truthfully, it takes just minutes to make them and “hand roll” the meatballs with a trusty ice cream scooper with a trigger release. I actually have a set of 3 different sizes of scoopers with the trigger release and I love using them for all kinds of things, including making different sized meatballs.
Place in microwavable 8×12 or 9×13-inch dish; cover with waxed paper or microwave paper. Microwave (High) 4 minutes; turn meatballs over and rearrange so less-cooked ones are to outside edges of dish. Re-cover and continue microwaving (High) 3 to 5 minutes or until meatballs are no longer pink. Drain, if necessary.
Meatballs in the Microwave
- 1 1/2 lbs ground beef – 85/15
- 1/2 sleeve of Ritz crackers
- 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Spray a 9 x 13 dish with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, crush the crackers and add milk. Let it sit and soak for a minute while gathering the rest of the ingredients.
- Add the beef and the rest of the ingredients. Mix thoroughly with your hands.
- Form whatever size meatballs youd like. I usually go with ones that are about 1 3/4 inches in size.
- Once you have filled the dish, place in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes.
- Rotate the dish and cook for an additional 3 minutes.
- Check internal temperature of a larger meatball and look for pinkness of meat. Internal temperature should be at least 165 F degrees. If its lower and you still see pinkness cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Once they are done, spoon the meatballs into sauce thats been simmering on the stove.
- Serve over pasta or on sub sandwich rolls.
Beef Meatball Recipe in the Microwave
Over the years I’ve perfected my beef meatball recipe so that I can quickly whip up a batch in minutes for a meal. When we have spaghetti, my kids always beg for homemade meatballs. Most of the time, I do oblige them since I can make a batch of meatballs in the microwave quicker than the cook time for the spaghetti.
One of my secret ingredients is using Ritz crackers instead of bread crumbs. I soak them in milk while I gather the rest of the ingredients. Then, I add the rest of the ingredients and quickly knead it all together.
Spray a casserole dish with nonstick spray and quickly scoop out the meatballs. Once I’ve used up all the meat, I pop them in the microwave for 3 minutes a time. Each time I check and look for pinkness. After 6 minutes, I insert a meat thermometer in one of the larger meatballs. Once the internal temperature is 165 F degrees, I take them out of the microwave and spoon them into a sauce pan full of bubbling spaghetti sauce. As soon as the noodles are done, dinner is served!
You can have dinner ready and on the table in less than 15 minutes. Plus, everyone in my family loves leftover spaghetti and meatballs for lunch the next day.
In the past few months we found out my youngest daughter is allergic to eggs. Now that she eats table food, and spaghetti is one of her favorites, I totally skip the egg in the meatballs and they still come out just perfect.
cooking meatballs in the microwave
FAQ
How long to heat meatballs in microwave?
How long do you cook frozen meatballs in the microwave?
How do you tell when meatballs are fully cooked?
Is it better to cook meatballs at 350 or 400?
How do you cook meatballs in a microwave?
Form 2-5 meatballs. Place them in the bowl and microwave for 3 minutes. Cook for an additional 2 minutes. If you can, check internal temperature of a larger meatball and look for pinkness of meat. Internal temperature should be at least 165 F degrees. If it’s lower and you still see pinkness cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
Can you cook beef balls in a microwave?
Smaller balls can cook faster. Place these in a microwavable plate. Heat this in the microwave for 4 – 5 minutes. Microwaves have different temperature settings; make sure that the beef has changed to a light brown color inside before serving. Drizzle with ketchup or tonkatsu sauce before serving. Keep these in an airtight container to freeze.
How do you cook a golf ball in a microwave?
Accessed March 20, 2020. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Form into balls using a ¼ cup measuring cup, each slightly larger than a golf ball. Place on microwave safe plate and microwave for 4 minutes. Continue until all of the mixture has been cooked.
What temperature should meatballs be cooked at?
Internal temperature should be at least 165 F degrees. If it’s lower and you still see pinkness cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Once they are done, spoon the meatballs into sauce that’s been simmering on the stove. Serve over pasta or on sub sandwich rolls.