Oven Baked Pork Meatballs with Italian Seasoning

Looking for a tasty, quick weeknight dinner? These easy baked pork meatballs are a great choice. Made with simple pantry ingredients and seasoned for maximum flavor, they come together in minutes and bake hands-off for a fuss-free meal the whole family will enjoy.

Why You’ll Love These Pork Meatballs

• Simple ingredients: Ground pork is the main ingredient, paired with breadcrumbs, an egg, and a few seasonings you likely already have.
• Fast and easy: Prep takes about 5–10 minutes, and the oven does the rest—no pan-frying required.
• Deliciously seasoned: A blend of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper gives these meatballs a pleasant, savory profile.
• Very versatile: Serve them as an appetizer, over pasta with sauce, alongside mashed or roasted sweet potatoes, or added to salads and grain bowls.

Ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground pork (about 12% fat works well)
• 1/4 cup plain breadcrumbs (use unseasoned unless you want to reduce added seasonings)
• 1 large egg (acts as the binder)
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Equipment

A large mixing bowl and a baking sheet are all you need. Line the sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup, or use a nonstick pan. Wetting your hands slightly helps when rolling the meatballs to prevent sticking.

How to Make the Meatballs

Step 1 — Preheat and Mix

Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, gently combine the ground pork, breadcrumbs, egg, and seasonings. Mix just until everything is evenly distributed—overworking the meat can make the meatballs dense instead of tender.

Step 2 — Portion and Roll

Divide the mixture into 16 even portions. An easy way is to cut the mixture in half, then in half again, and so on until you reach roughly equal pieces. With slightly wet hands, roll each portion into a smooth ball and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet with a little space between each.

Step 3 — Bake

Bake for roughly 15–20 minutes, until the meatballs are lightly golden and reach an internal temperature of at least 160°F on an instant-read thermometer. Cooking times vary a little by oven and meatball size, so check one or two for doneness before removing the whole tray.

Step 4 — Serve

Serve warm with your preferred accompaniments. Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator in an airtight container for a few days. You can also freeze cooked meatballs for longer storage—place cooled meatballs in freezer-safe bags or containers.

Serving Suggestions

These pork meatballs pair especially well with sweet potato mash or roasted sweet potato slices. They are also excellent with pasta and warm marinara topped with grated cheese. For a lighter meal, serve them with a bagged salad or over a bed of greens and grains for a quick bowl-style dinner.

Storage and Freezing Tips

• If freezing raw meatballs, place them on a baking sheet so they do not touch and freeze for at least 30 minutes. Then transfer to a freezer bag to store. Thaw before baking or add extra bake time if cooking from frozen.
• Cooked meatballs freeze easily: arrange in a single layer to freeze, then store in sealed containers or bags. Reheat gently in a sauce, in the oven, or in the microwave.

FAQs

Easy Baked Pork Meatballs — Recipe Summary

A homemade meatball recipe doesn’t need to be complicated. These baked pork meatballs are quick, flexible, and delicious—perfect for busy weeknights. If you try them, consider leaving a review or rating on the original recipe page to share your experience.