Cheesy Meatball In Air Fryer

I recently started making more one-pan meals in my air fryer, and I can’t wait to share them with you all. These cheesy baked meatballs in tomato sauce will blow your mind, and there is nothing mediocre about this one-pan air fryer dish. It is actually very simple to make and economical, too.

To get started, you make the meatballs and cook them for a few minutes to brown them as you would if you were cooking them on the stove. Then, simmer them in my homemade quick tomato sauce and top them with your favorite cheese. I used mozzarella cheese; the cheese pull is a necessity for the kids. Mine finished these up without any hesitation. Let me show you how to make it.

Why you will love this cheesy meatball recipe

Cheesy meatballs are an easy weeknight meal the whole family will enjoy. Whether you serve these meatballs and tomato sauce over pasta, a sub roll, polenta, or a bed of steamy rice, it’s a hearty meal that will leave you all satisfied and happy.

It’s also perfect for meal prep. You can make a big batch of these meatballs in tomato sauce and store them in the fridge or freezer for quick and easy meals during the week. They reheat beautifully and still maintain their moisture and delicious flavor.

Additionally, this dish is customizable to your taste preferences. The meatballs can be flavored to your taste. Today’s recipe is Italian-inspired, but you can switch it up with different herbs and spices to create a unique flavor profile.

What you will need

1 pound Ground beef

500g tomato sauce: I am using my homemade 10 minutes tomato sauce for this recipe, but you can use any store-bought marinara sauce.

1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs: substitute with regular breadcrumbs

1 large egg

1/3 cup parmesan cheese

1 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon dried parsley

2 Tablespoons Milk

1/2 cup onion grated

1/2 tablespoon garlic granules

1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded: substitute with any other type of melty cheese of your choice.

Salt and pepper to taste

How to make baked cheesy meatballs in air fryer

Step 1: Make the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine grated onion, milk and panko. Stir to combine and let it sit for 2 minutes. Add ground beef, parmesan cheese, egg, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the bowl, and using your hand, gently mix to combine.

Using a tablespoon or a small cookie scoop, shape the meat mixture into balls about 1 ½ to 2 inches in diameter. You should end up with approximately 20 to 24 meatballs.

Transfer the meatballs to the prepared baking pan/ silicon sheet/ foil etc.

Lightly spray the meatballs with cooking spray and place the baking pan in the air fryer basket.

Step 2: Air-fry the Meatballs: Set the air fryer to 380°F (190°C) and cook for 5 minutes.

Step 3: Add tomato sauce and cheese: Remove the air fryer basket from the air fryer and carefully pour the tomato sauce over the meatballs making sure they are all covered in the sauce. Finally, top with shredded cheese.

Step 4: Cook: Continue to cook cheesy meatballs for 12-15 minutes or until the cheese is completely melted and golden brown on the top.

Step 5: Garnish and serve: Carefully remove the baking pan from the air fryer basket. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or basil, if desired. Serve hot over pasta or rice or as a sub sandwich filling. Enjoy!

Tips

• Mix gently: Avoid overmixing the ingredients for the meatballs as it can result in tough and dense meatballs.
• Use a scoop: A cookie scoop or tablespoon is faster and helps ensure that all your meatballs are evenly sized.
• Don’t overlap: Make sure the meatballs don’t overlap, but it is okay if they touch sides on a single layer.

How to store

The leftover cheesy meatballs in tomato sauce can be stored in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days.

For longer storage, you can freeze them in freezer-safe containers or resealable bags for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen or let it thaw in the fridge overnight.