To cook meatballs in an oven, you can follow these general steps:
Preheat the oven: Start by preheating your oven to the appropriate temperature. The recommended temperature for cooking meatballs is typically around 375°F (190°C), but it may vary depending on your recipe.
Prepare the meatball mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the ground meat of your choice (such as beef, pork, veal, or a combination), breadcrumbs, finely chopped onions, garlic, herbs, spices, beaten eggs, and any other desired ingredients for flavor and binding. Mix the ingredients together until well-combined.
Shape the meatballs: Take small portions of the meat mixture and roll them into evenly sized meatballs. You can use your hands to shape them into round balls or use a cookie scoop or spoon for consistent sizes.
Place the meatballs on a baking sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking. Arrange the meatballs on the baking sheet, spacing them evenly and ensuring they are not touching each other. This allows them to cook evenly.
Bake in the oven: Place the baking sheet with the meatballs in the preheated oven. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of the meatballs and the oven temperature. Generally, meatballs take around 20 to 25 minutes to cook through. It's advisable to check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure they reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) for ground meat to be safely consumed.
Optional browning: If you prefer a golden-brown crust on your meatballs, you can increase the oven temperature to broil during the last few minutes of cooking. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.
Remove from the oven and let them rest: Once the meatballs are cooked, remove them from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows them to retain moisture and flavors.
Remember, cooking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of the meatballs, so it's always a good idea to check for doneness using a meat thermometer. Additionally, the specific recipe you are following may have different instructions, so be sure to refer to it for any specific guidelines or variations.