Last week, a friend emailed me to report that she made these meatballs while on vacation, serving them as an appetizer to rave reviews. And then today, while roaming the grocery store aisles, another friend approached with a few questions about making homemade spaghetti sauce. We got talking about meatballs, and when hearing about a baked alternative, she decided to make this easy version that my family has been enjoying for years.

Perhaps you are like me in this way: I have recipes everywhere…a shelfful of cookbooks, a box with recipe cards, and various pages torn from magazines, newspapers…and so many slips of scrap paper with my own hand-written notes that I scratch out as I create in the kitchen. Amidst all the recipes, I return often to the gems given to me by my friend, Jen. Like me, Jen likes to experiment with new recipes and acquired many of her favorites from her grandmother.

This meatball recipe reduces mess–and fat–by baking the meatballs instead of pan-frying. Parmesan and panko add great flavor and texture. Make them ahead and simmer all day with Basic Marinara sauce (your favorite store bought works, too) in a crock pot set on low. Or heat on the stove as you are boiling water for pasta.

Ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground beef o
• 2 eggs, beaten with 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 1 cup panko or bread crumbs
• 1 small onion, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• freshly ground pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup minced fresh basil

Directions

Mix all ingredients with hands.
Form into golf ball sized meatballs.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Source: Allrecipes.com