Juicy Baked Cheesy Meatballs (Gluten-Free & Low Carb)

Name: Juicy Baked Cheesy Meatballs (Gluten-Free & Low Carb)
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1 ½ pounds of ground beef or ground turkey; 1 tablespoon of garlic powder; 2 tablespoons of oregano; ¼ cup of shredded parmesan cheese; ½ cup of shredded mozzarella cheese; 1 egg; ½ teaspoon of sea salt; ½ teaspoon of black pepper

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Most meatball recipes rely on breadcrumbs to keep them together, which can make them dry or heavy. These Baked Cheesy Meatballs skip the fillers entirely. Instead, I use a double-dose of Parmesan and Mozzarella to bind the meat, resulting in an incredibly juicy, flavorful meatball that happens to be naturally gluten-free and low carb.

Cheesy Meatballs Cleveland Cooking

Why You'll Love These Baked Meatballs

No Frying, No Mess: Skip the grease splatters. These bake perfectly on a parchment-lined sheet in just 20 minutes.
Zero Fillers: Because there are no breadcrumbs, you get pure protein and cheese in every bite.
Meal Prep Friendly: These freeze beautifully. Make a double batch and keep them on hand for last-minute spaghetti nights or meatball subs.

What You Will Need:

1 ½ pounds of ground beef or ground turkey
1 tablespoon of garlic powder
2 tablespoons of oregano
¼ cup of shredded parmesan cheese
½ cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
1 egg
½ teaspoon of sea salt
½ teaspoon of black pepper

Mixing the Meatballs

The ingredients are very basic. Meat, seasonings, cheese, and an egg. There are substitutes for the cheese such as, Asiago cheese. Asiago cheese would add a bolder flavor. Add the ingredients to an appropriately sized bowl all at once and mix together. A large spoon to mix it all up works just fine. However, I like to get my hands in there and make sure it's all combined. Once the ingredients are all combined, let the mixture rest if you can. If you are in a hurry, it's no big deal to start rolling them out right away. Don't overmix the meatball mixture, it will make the meatballs tough.

Rolling the Meatballs for Baking

I roll up the meatballs so that they are around two ounces each. If you don't have a scale, two ounces is about the size of a golf ball. As the meatballs are rolled up, place them on a parchment lined baking sheet. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and bake them for 17-20 minutes. Since there are no breadcrumbs, the mixture will be sticky—this is normal! Wet your hands slightly to make rolling easier.

cheesy meatballs ready for the oven from Cleveland cooking — Cheesy Meatballs from Cleveland Cooking

Freezing the Meatballs

The cheesy meatballs can be frozen for up to three months. The flash freezing process is easy. Place the cooled, cooked meatballs on a baking sheet with a fresh piece of parchment. Place the meatballs, uncovered, in your freezer for 30-40 minutes. Next, place in a freezer bag and place them back into the freezer until you are ready to use them.

For another great meatball recipe try my buffalo chicken meatballs!

This is just one of the great dinners I have on my site.

FAQ's:

Can I use a different type of ground meat?

Absolutely. While this recipe is great with ground beef, it also works well with ground turkey or ground pork. You could even use a mix, like half beef and half pork, for added flavor and tenderness.

My meatballs were a little dry. What can I do next time?

The most common reason for dry meatballs is overmixing the ingredients or using very lean ground beef. Mix the meat, cheese, and seasonings just until they are combined. Using an 80/20 or 85/15 ground beef will also ensure they stay nice and juicy.

What are some other cheeses I can use?

This recipe is very flexible. For a sharper flavor, try swapping the parmesan for Asiago or Pecorino Romano. You could also use provolone in place of mozzarella for a slightly different cheesy pull.

What are the best ways to serve these cheesy meatballs?

-These meatballs are incredibly versatile. Here are favorite ways to serve them:
-Over spaghetti with a rich, homemade sauce like my easy blush sauce.
-In a toasted hoagie roll (or on my Easy buns recipe) for a classic meatball sub.
-On their own with toothpicks as a party appetizer.

How do I properly reheat the frozen meatballs?

For best results, you can let the frozen meatballs thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Then, gently reheat them in a simmering sauce on the stovetop for about 15-20 minutes. You can also place them in a baking dish with a little sauce, cover with foil, and bake at 350°F until warmed through.

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