Pesto Meatballs

Pesto Meatballs

30 servings
These pesto meatballs are a real crowd-pleaser, made with ground beef, pesto, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and spices.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 medium onion

    finely chopped

  • 2 cloves garlic

    minced

  • 2/3 cup pesto
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/3 cup dried breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 1/4 pounds lean ground beef

Directions

  1. 1

    Gather the ingredients.

  2. 2

    Preheat oven to 350 F and heat a small skillet with olive oil and butter over medium heat.

  3. 3

    Add onion and garlic; cook and stir until tender, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove to a large bowl and let cool for 10 minutes.

  4. 4

    Beat in pesto, cheese, egg, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper and mix well.

  5. 5

    Add beef and sautéed onions and garlic and mix gently but thoroughly with hands until combined. Form into 1-1/2-inch meatballs. Place on a cookie sheet with sides.

  6. 6

    Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer registers 165 F.

Pesto Meatballs

Pesto Meatballs

4.2(38)55 min30 servings

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Ratings & Reviews

0.0/ 5
Excellent

Based on 38 ratings

thespruceeats.com
4.2(38 reviews)
View original recipe

Rating Breakdown

About this Recipe

Looking for a flavorful, family-friendly meal that comes together without fuss? These Pesto Meatballs are a true crowd-pleaser, delivering rich taste in every bite and making dinner deliciously easy.

What makes these Pesto Meatballs truly special is the thoughtful blend of savory ingredients. We combine lean ground beef with the bright, herbaceous notes of pesto, along with aromatic onion and garlic, ensuring a deeply satisfying flavor profile. The addition of Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs creates a tender, juicy texture that stands out from ordinary meatballs.

Prepare yourself for tender, juicy meatballs infused with the irresistible aroma of basil pesto and savory Parmesan. The texture is perfectly balanced, firm enough to hold its shape yet melt-in-your-mouth soft. Each bite offers a burst of fresh, savory flavors that will have everyone reaching for more. This recipe yields a generous batch, perfect for feeding a gathering or enjoying throughout the week. You'll find the process straightforward, resulting in a robust, comforting dish that feels gourmet but is surprisingly simple to achieve.

While delicious as-is, you can easily adapt these pesto meatballs. Consider swapping some of the ground beef for ground pork or turkey for a different flavor and texture. For an extra layer of richness, a touch of sun-dried tomato pesto could be used in place of traditional basil pesto. If you're out of dried breadcrumbs, crushed crackers can be a suitable substitute for binding.

These versatile pesto meatballs are perfect for a weeknight dinner served with pasta, polenta, or rice, or as elegant appetizers at your next gathering. Pair them with a simple green salad to complete the meal.

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