One Pan Chicken Meatballs with Marinara and Mozzarella Recipe

Introduction

These one pan chicken meatballs are a simple and flavorful dinner option that comes together quickly. Tender meatballs cooked in marinara sauce and topped with melted mozzarella make for a comforting meal the whole family will love.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground chicken
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (preferably Italian seasoned)
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 large egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, egg, minced garlic, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.
2. Step 2: Using your hands, mix all the ingredients together until well combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the meatballs tough.
3. Step 3: Take a small amount of the mixture and cook it in a skillet to taste for seasoning. Adjust salt and pepper if needed.
4. Step 4: Shape the mixture into meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. You should get around 20 meatballs from this mixture.
5. Step 5: In a large oven-safe skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the meatballs to the skillet, making sure not to overcrowd the pan; you may need to do this in batches.
6. Step 6: Cook the meatballs for about 5-7 minutes, turning them occasionally until they are browned on all sides. They don’t need to be fully cooked through at this point since they will finish cooking in the oven.
7. Step 7: Once browned, remove the meatballs from the skillet and set them aside on a plate.
8. Step 8: In the same skillet, pour in the marinara sauce. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan for added flavor.
9. Step 9: Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium heat, which should take about 2-3 minutes.
10. Step 10: Return the meatballs to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce, ensuring they are mostly submerged for even cooking.
11. Step 11: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
12. Step 12: Once preheated, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the meatballs and sauce.
13. Step 13: Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C) and the cheese is bubbly and golden.
14. Step 14: Once out of the oven, let the meatballs sit for a few minutes to cool slightly, allowing the cheese to set.
15. Step 15: Using a large spoon, carefully scoop out the meatballs along with some marinara sauce and place them on a serving platter or individual plates.
16. Step 16: Garnish with fresh basil leaves for a pop of color and added flavor.

Tips & Variations

• For extra moisture, add 1-2 tablespoons of milk to the meatball mixture.
• Substitute ground turkey if you prefer a different flavor.
• Use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make this dish gluten-free.
• Add red pepper flakes to the meatball mixture for a hint of heat.
• Serve over spaghetti or zucchini noodles for a complete meal.

Storage

Store leftover meatballs and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently in a skillet over low heat or microwave until heated through. Avoid reheating the cheese in the oven as it can dry out.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these meatballs ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the meatballs and keep them in the refrigerator until ready to cook. You can also freeze the shaped meatballs before cooking and bake them directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

What can I serve with these chicken meatballs?

They pair well with pasta, roasted vegetables, a fresh green salad, or crusty bread to soak up the marinara sauce.

One Pan Chicken Meatballs with Marinara and Mozzarella Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 89 reviews

This One Pan Chicken Meatballs recipe offers a quick and delicious dinner option, combining tender ground chicken meatballs cooked in a flavorful marinara sauce and topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Prepared entirely in an oven-safe skillet, it simplifies cooking and cleanup while delivering hearty, comforting flavors perfect for weeknight meals.

• Author: Nora
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: Serves 4-6 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meatball Ingredients

• 1 pound ground chicken
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (preferably Italian seasoned)
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 large egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Cooking Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Combine ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, egg, minced garlic, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.
2. Mix gently: Using your hands, mix all the ingredients together until well combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the meatballs tough.
3. Test seasoning: Take a small amount of the mixture and cook it in a skillet to taste for seasoning. Adjust salt and pepper if needed.
4. Shape meatballs: Shape the mixture into meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. You should get around 20 meatballs from this mixture.
5. Brown meatballs: In a large oven-safe skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, carefully add the meatballs, avoiding overcrowding; cook in batches if necessary.
6. Cook meatballs partially: Cook for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally until browned on all sides. They don’t need to be fully cooked at this stage.
7. Remove meatballs: Remove the browned meatballs from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
8. Prepare sauce: In the same skillet, pour in the marinara sauce and use a wooden spoon to scrape up browned bits from the pan’s bottom for extra flavor.
9. Simmer sauce: Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium heat for 2-3 minutes.
10. Return meatballs to sauce: Nestle the meatballs back into the sauce, ensuring they are mostly submerged for even cooking.
11. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
12. Add cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the meatballs and sauce.
13. Bake: Transfer the oven-safe skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and cheese is bubbly and golden.
14. Rest: Remove from oven and let the meatballs sit for a few minutes to allow the cheese to set.
15. Serve: Using a large spoon, scoop meatballs with sauce onto serving plates.
16. Garnish: Garnish with fresh basil leaves for added color and flavor.

Notes

• Do not overmix the meatball mixture to keep them tender.
• Cooking a test meatball helps adjust seasoning before shaping all meatballs.
• Use an oven-safe skillet to avoid transferring the mixture to another dish for baking.
• Check the meatballs’ internal temperature to ensure they are fully cooked.
• Fresh basil garnish adds freshness but is optional.
• Italian seasoned breadcrumbs add extra flavor, but plain breadcrumbs can be used as a substitute.

Keywords: chicken meatballs, easy dinner, one pan meal, baked meatballs, marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese