Quick & Juicy Giant Lazy Meatballs Recipe for Family Meals

Crafting giant lazy meatballs brings pure comfort to your kitchen adventure.

Juicy ground beef mingles with herbs and spices for an irresistible blend.

Italian breadcrumbs provide a perfect texture that holds these massive spheres together.

Weeknight dinners become extraordinary with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Soft and tender, these meatballs practically melt in your mouth.

Massive yet delicate, they promise to be the star of any meal.

You’ll want to dive right into this delicious culinary experience.

Why Lazy Meatballs Are Big, Bold, and Easy to Love

• Conquer Massive Meals: These giant meatballs are perfect for feeding a hungry crowd, delivering serious protein punch with minimal effort.
• Master Complex Flavors: Blend of beef and pork creates rich, deep taste profile, while multiple seasonings like oregano and cayenne provide exciting culinary complexity.
• Stress-Free Cooking: Minimal hands-on preparation allows you to mix ingredients, chill, then bake without constant monitoring, making it ideal for busy home cooks.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Cheesy, saucy meatballs satisfy everyone from kids to adults, transforming a simple dish into a memorable family dinner experience.

What Goes Into These Giant Juicy Meatballs

• Beef: A rich and flavorful protein that forms the base of the meatballs.
• Pork: Adds moisture and extra depth to the meat mixture.

• Bread, Milk: Creates a soft, tender texture that helps hold the meatballs together.
• Eggs: Acts as a natural binding agent to keep the meatballs compact.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Oregano, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Cayenne: Provides a complex and robust seasoning profile for the meatballs.
• Olive Oil: Adds richness and helps distribute the flavors evenly.
• Parsley, Fresh Parsley: Brings a fresh, herbal note to the dish.
• Parmesan Cheese: Contributes a savory, salty element to the meat mixture.

• Tomato Sauce: Adds moisture and classic Italian-style flavor to the meatballs.
• Monterey Jack Cheese, Parmigiano-Reggiano: Creates a melty, golden, and flavorful cheese topping.

How to Bake Big Meatballs Without Fuss

Step 1: Soak Bread Crumbs

Create a soft base by crumbling bread and mixing with milk. Let the mixture sit and absorb liquid for 10-15 minutes, creating a moist foundation for the meatballs.

Step 2: Blend Meat Mixture

• Ground beef
• Ground pork
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Oregano
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Cayenne pepper
• Olive oil
• Parmesan cheese
• Fresh parsley
• Eggs

Use two forks to thoroughly mix all ingredients, ensuring even distribution of seasonings.

Step 3: Chill the Mixture

Cover the meat mixture and refrigerate for one hour.

Chilling helps the ingredients meld together and makes shaping easier.

Step 4: Prepare Baking Vessel

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Lightly grease a roasting pan or baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.

Step 5: Shape Massive Meatballs

Wet hands slightly to prevent sticking.

Roll the chilled mixture into four generously sized meatballs. Place them carefully in the prepared baking pan.

Step 6: Roast to Perfection

Bake meatballs for 40-45 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature reaches 160-165°F for safe consumption.

Step 7: Add Sauce and Cheese

Remove meatballs from oven. Generously spoon tomato sauce over each meatball.

• Monterey Jack cheese
• Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Step 8: Final Cheese Melt

Return meatballs to oven for 5-10 minutes. Allow cheese to melt completely and sauce to heat through.

Step 9: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle fresh parsley on top. Serve hot and enjoy these giant, flavor-packed meatballs.

Tips for Flavorful, Fork-Tender Lazy Meatballs

• Dampen hands with cold water when shaping meatballs to prevent the meat from sticking and ensure smooth, even-sized balls.
• Let the meat mixture rest in the refrigerator for at least an hour to help the flavors meld and improve the texture of the meatballs.
• Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to guarantee safe and perfectly cooked meatballs, avoiding dryness or undercooking.
• Choose high-quality ground beef and pork with a slightly higher fat content for juicier, more flavorful meatballs that won't become tough.
• Swap ground meats with turkey or chicken for a lighter version, keeping the same spice blend to maintain the original flavor profile.

Fun Ways to Remix These Comforting Meatballs

• Spicy Southwest Meatballs: Replace oregano and cayenne with cumin, chili powder, and diced green chilies. Top with pepper jack cheese and garnish with cilantro.
• Mediterranean Herb Meatballs: Swap Parmesan for feta cheese, add dried mint and za'atar spice blend. Use tzatziki sauce instead of tomato sauce.
• Italian Sausage Style Meatballs: Incorporate fennel seeds, red pepper flakes, and Italian sausage into the meat mixture. Serve with marinara sauce and extra Parmigiano-Reggiano.
• Greek-Inspired Lamb Meatballs: Substitute beef and pork with ground lamb, add mint, dill, and lemon zest. Serve with cucumber yogurt sauce and crumbled goat cheese.

What Tastes Amazing with Giant Meatballs

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Choose a robust Chianti or Sangiovese that matches the rich, meaty flavors and cuts through the hearty tomato sauce.
• Complement with Crusty Garlic Bread: Slice a fresh baguette, toast with olive oil and garlic, creating the perfect side to soak up the delicious sauce and catch melted cheese.
• Create Herbal Green Salad: Toss mixed greens with arugula, fresh basil, cherry tomatoes, and a light lemon vinaigrette to balance the heaviness of the meatballs and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Select Smooth Italian Beer: Grab a crisp Peroni or Moretti that cleanses the palate and enhances the savory meat and cheese combination with its light, crisp finish.

Storage Tips to Keep ‘Em Juicy for Days

• Refrigerate: Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Freeze: Wrap individual meatballs tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2-3 months for best quality and taste.
• Microwave Reheat: Place meatballs on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, checking temperature until warmed through.
• Oven Reheat: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place meatballs in a baking dish, add a splash of tomato sauce to prevent drying. Cover with foil and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated evenly.

Giant Meatball FAQs: Big Answers, Too

• Why use both beef and pork in this recipe?

The combination creates a richer flavor and juicier texture. Beef provides robust taste while pork adds tenderness and moisture to the meatballs.

• How can I ensure my meatballs stay moist?

Mixing breadcrumbs soaked in milk helps retain moisture. Chilling the mixture before cooking and not overcooking also prevents dryness.

• Is chilling the meat mixture really necessary?

Yes, chilling helps the ingredients bind together, makes the meatballs easier to shape, and allows flavors to meld, resulting in more cohesive and flavorful meatballs.

Giant Lazy Meatballs Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty Italian Giant Lazy Meatballs promise comfort and flavor in one delectable dish. Rich ground beef, herbs, and cheese combine to create a meal that brings Mediterranean warmth directly to your plate.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meats:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound ground pork

Dairy and Eggs:

• 2 large eggs
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
• 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Additional Ingredients:

• 2 slices of bread, crumbled
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Soak bread crumbs in milk for 10-15 minutes, allowing them to absorb liquid and soften completely.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, gently combine ground beef and pork using two forks to maintain a light texture, avoiding compacting the meat.
3. Incorporate all seasonings including salt, black pepper, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne, olive oil, Parmesan, and chopped parsley into the meat mixture.
4. Fold in eggs and moistened bread crumbs, mixing thoroughly but delicately to ensure even distribution of ingredients.
5. Cover the meat mixture and refrigerate for 1 hour to enhance flavor melding and improve structural integrity.
6. Preheat oven to 400°F and lightly grease a roasting pan to prevent sticking.
7. Using dampened hands, form four generously sized meatballs, ensuring uniform size for consistent cooking.
8. Arrange meatballs in the prepared pan, maintaining space between them for even heat circulation.
9. Bake for 40-45 minutes until internal temperature reaches 160-165°F, guaranteeing safe and thorough cooking.
10. Remove from oven and generously ladle tomato sauce over the meatballs.
11. Sprinkle Monterey Jack cheese followed by Parmigiano-Reggiano, creating a multi-layered cheese topping.
12. Return to oven for 5-10 minutes until sauce is bubbling and cheese melts completely.
13. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately while hot and aromatic.

Notes

• Swap bread with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs for celiac or gluten-sensitive diets.
• Reduce cayenne pepper quantity or omit completely for milder flavor profiles and kid-friendly versions.
• Opt for leaner ground meats like turkey or chicken to create a lighter, lower-fat meatball option without compromising texture.
• Ensure thorough mixing using forks prevents overworking meat, maintaining tender and juicy meatball consistency.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 45-55 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 412
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 680 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 138 mg