Quick & Easy Eggless Meatball Recipe (2024)

Here’s a great recipe for eggless meatballs that takes less than thirty minutes from beginning to end. Make a double batch and freeze some later.

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I love homemade meatballs and this is one of my favorite recipes. It’s great when my kids eat ALL their dinner! This is such a good recipe and so easy to make and you can use them in so many different ways: pasta, subs, soups or just by themselves. They make meal planning easy!

Eggless Meatball Recipe

These Italian meatballs without eggs stand out. I usually double or triple the recipe because they are perfect to freeze for another time. I love throwing frozen meatballs in the crockpot with a jar of spaghetti sauce, putting on low and dinner is ready a few hours later.

Making oven-baked meatballs is so simple. No messy skillet to clean up or greasy splatter all over your oven.

How do I freeze meatballs?

Freezing meatballs is simple. You can add them to an airtight freezer-safe container or a freezer baggie. You can pull them out in advance or throw them in sauce, still frozen.

I love these containers for freezer storage. They hold a bunch, reusable, you can see through them and you can even use a Sharpie to write on top. They are perfect for soups and sauces too.

Supplies to make egg free meatballs

Baking Sheet– I received this as a wedding gift and I have had no issues at all and still using it over 20 years later.

Stainless steel bowls– I always use stainless steel bowls and love this set. It comes in a variety of sizes and lids and is perfect to mix up your spices.

Tongs– This set of tongs is great. It comes in three different sizes and has silicone tips. They are great when you have nonstick pots, pans and baking sheets.

Ingredients for Eggless Meatball Recipe

Ground beef– I normally use 80/20. You can actually use any ground meat that you prefer. Ground pork and turkey meatballs are delicious!

Breadcrumbs– I keep panko-style breadcrumbs in my pantry and that’s normally what I use.

Parmesan cheese– I’ve never used fresh parmesan cheese in this recipe. I normally use the grated style that’s located in the pasta section in the grocery store.

Garlic– Fresh garlic is best for this recipe and it should be minced. Jarred minced garlic is a perfect time saver for this recipe. Of course, you can always use garlic powder in a pinch.

Onion– These should be chopped into very small pieces.

Italian seasoning spices -oregano, basil, salt, and fresh ground black pepper

Milk– Just a little milk will help moisten up your mixture. If you use all ground beef, you may not need the milk.

How to make homemade eggless meatballs

Step 1

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly using hands. These are my VERY favorite mixing bowls.

Step 2

Form 1-2 inch balls with the meat mixture and place them on a baking sheet. The size of a golf ball is perfect.

Step 3

Broil for 3 minutes, flip, broil another 3 minutes.

This recipe should make about 20-30 meatballs. If you make your meatballs larger, make sure to cook them a tad longer.

Tip 1

Make sure to preheat the broiler for at least 5-10 minutes so it’s hot before you start cooking.

Tip 2

I like using parchment paper on my baking sheet because it makes for an easy clean-up.

Tip 3

If you are allergic to eggs, double-check your breadcrumbs. There are brands out there that contain eggs! Trust me, I found out the hard way!

Eggless Dessert Resources

If you’re like me, then you’re probably on the lookout for more recipes that are egg free. I hate finding a recipe and clicking on it and it has an egg in it!

I started an eggless recipe board on my personal Pinterest page and then realized that I should probably link it to my blog. It’s great finding recipes that are egg free and when I need one I can go look and eat everything in it.

I have anEGGLESS Recipe boardon Pinterest and there are a ton of great recipes. You can follow ithere. I pin on it every week because I’m ALWAYS on the lookout for new recipes.

I also have aEGG FREE RECIPE Facebook pagethat I just started,so there is only one follower right now, me! (Update: It’s over 1800 now!!) Go follow over there and I’ll post any good recipes I find!

More dinner recipes that are thirty minutes or less!

  • Garlic Butter Shrimp Fettuccine
  • Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas
  • One Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta
  • Meatball Subs

Reminder: If you make one of my recipes, it would be GREAT if you could leave any feedback in the comment section and rate it for other readers who are looking for something new to make.

Quick & Easy Eggless Meatball Recipe (5)

Print Pin

4.50 from 4 votes

Homemade Eggless Meatballs

Here's a great eggless meatball recipe that takes less than thirty minutes from beginning to end. Make a double batch and freeze some later.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword eggless, ground beef, meatball

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 6 minutes minutes

Total Time 26 minutes minutes

Servings 25 meatballs

Author Holly- Keeping Life Sane

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef 80/20
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • ½ medium onion chopped
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon basil
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 2 tablespoons milk

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients in large bowl. Mix thoroughly using hands.

  • Form 1-2 inch balls with the meat mixture and place on a baking sheet.

  • Broil for 3 minutes, flip, broil another 3 minutes.

Notes

Tip 1

Make sure to preheat the broiler for at least 5-10 minutes so it’s hot before you start cooking.

Tip 2

I like using parchment paper on my baking sheet because it makes for an easy clean-up.

Tip 3

If you are allergic to eggs, double-check your breadcrumbs. There are brands out there that contain eggs! Trust me, I found out the hard way!

Quick & Easy Eggless Meatball Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What can I use if I don't have eggs for meatballs? ›

Thankfully, mashed potatoes work as an excellent egg substitute for meatballs. The function of egg in meatballs has very little to do with flavor and more to do with its binding properties, similar to why you might use breadcrumbs in meatloaf or burgers: to help everything hold together.

What happens if you don't put eggs in meatballs? ›

If you forgot to grab eggs at the grocery store, don't worry. The liquid and breadcrumbs are sufficient to hold the egg-free meatballs' shape and ensure the meatballs are tender. However, we do want to add a little extra liquid to make up for the lack of egg.

Can I use mayo instead of eggs in meatballs? ›

But it's not an unusual choice, either, when you consider its parts: egg, oil, and a small amount of vinegar or lemon juice, all whisked or blended together. Because it's a stable emulsion, mayo serves as an excellent binder for meatballs. It easily slips into the role played by eggs and bread crumbs.

Is milk or egg better for meatballs? ›

The solution: Milk does wonderful things for meatballs, especially when mixed to a paste with fresh bread crumbs. Still better is buttermilk, which, as we had discovered when testing meatloaf recipes (see "Memorable Meat Loaf," September/October 1996), delivers a delicious flavor.

Is egg necessary for meatballs? ›

You only need a small amount of egg – it's there only to help the cooked meatball retain its shape, and shouldn't detract from the meat's flavour or texture. Filler ingredients like breadcrumbs or flour are important too because they stop the meatballs becoming dry.

What can I use if I don't have an egg? ›

Egg replacers
  1. Vinegar & baking soda. Replace 1 egg with: 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 tablespoon vinegar. ...
  2. Unsweetened applesauce. Replace 1 egg with: 1/4 cup applesauce. ...
  3. Plain or vanilla soy yogurt. Replace 1 egg with: 1/4 cup yogurt. ...
  4. Silken tofu. ...
  5. Ripe banana. ...
  6. Ground flaxseed.

What is the best binder for meatballs? ›

An egg is usually a good start, as that can help with the tenderness and texture, but the king of meatball binders is breadcrumbs soaked in milk (also known as a panade). Soaking the breadcrumbs first makes them pliable and soggy, which allows them to easily and evenly mix into the ground meat.

Can I skip eggs in a recipe? ›

You can whisk 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons of water and 2 teaspoons of baking powder together to replace each egg in baked goods like cookies, brownies or quick breads. This substitution won't impact a recipes' flavor profile the way egg substitutions like mashed banana or flaxseed might.

How much mayonnaise is equal to one egg? ›

Mayonnaise. Eggs are a key ingredient in mayonnaise, so it makes sense that it can be a perfect substitute when you're out of eggs. Use 3 tablespoons of mayo as an egg substitute.

What can you use instead of egg to bind breadcrumbs? ›

Here are some common egg substitutes for breading:
  • Milk or Buttermilk:Dip the meat in milk or buttermilk before coating it with the breading. ...
  • Yogurt:Plain yogurt can serve as a good substitute for eggs in breading. ...
  • Mustard:Dijon or regular mustard can act as a binder for the breading.
Nov 21, 2023

Is it better to bake meatballs at 350 or 400? ›

In an oven preheated to 350 degrees F, these meatballs should be fully cooked through and evenly browned in about 30 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the middle of the meatball should read at least 165 degrees F.

What is a substitute for eggs as a binder in baking? ›

Eggs As a Binder

For recipes which use eggs primarily as a binder (such as drop cookies), use one of the possible substitutions for one egg: 1/2 of a medium banana, mashed. 1/4 cup of applesauce (or other pureed fruit)

What not to do when making meatballs? ›

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Making Meatballs
  1. Not seasoning the meat.
  2. Not adding any moisture to the meat.
  3. Over-mixing the meat.
  4. Not shaping the meatballs correctly.
  5. Not forming evenly-sized meatballs.
May 1, 2019

Is it better to bake or cook meatballs? ›

Baking will result in meatballs with a crunchy exterior, though the caramelisation achieved from frying will be superior. Baked meatballs take the least amount of effort, as you'll only need to turn them once or twice throughout the cook and you can make a larger batch at once.

What can I add to meatballs instead of breadcrumbs? ›

Rolled Oats

Oats are the perfect substitutes for breadcrumbs in meatballs or meatloaf. While they aren't ideal for a crispy coating, they add the right amount of texture to bind meat, eggs and flavorings together into a delicious Italian-inspired feast.

What can you use as a binder if you don t have eggs for meatloaf? ›

Arrowroot Powder. Arrowroot powder serves as a gluten-free thickening agent and binder in meatloaf recipes. Mix 2 tablespoons of arrowroot powder with 3 tablespoons of water to replace each egg and achieve a well-bound and tender texture in your meatloaf.

Can I use milk instead of eggs for meatballs? ›

Egg Free Meatball Ingredients

They explained that mixing milk and torn bread together will act as a binding agent and a swap for the eggs! Fresh parsley – Italian parsley adds so much flavor – be sure to NOT get the curly kind!

Can I use breadcrumbs instead of egg in meatballs? ›

The Key to Tender Meatballs

One trick to making sure meatballs are totally tender once they're cooked is to use a binder. Here, we're soaking fresh or dried breadcrumbs in a little milk until the bread becomes soggy, then mixing that right into the meat.

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