Name: Olive Garden Meatballs Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 1/2 lb ground pork; 1/2 cup breadcrumbs; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan; 2 eggs; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning; 1/2 cup milk; Salt & pepper to taste

Jump to Recipe·5.1 from 17 reviews

If you’ve ever wished you could capture that classic, cozy restaurant experience at home, look no further than these Olive Garden Meatballs. Tender and juicy, with a perfect blend of Italian seasoning and Parmesan, each bite is pure comfort food bliss. Whether you’re crowning a mountain of spaghetti or simply dipping them into your favorite marinara, the flavors and texture truly transport you straight to your favorite booth at Olive Garden. Simple to make and utterly irresistible, this recipe puts restaurant-quality taste right on your table.

Olive Garden Meatballs Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

There’s magic in simplicity, and the ingredients for Olive Garden Meatballs prove just that! Each element plays a starring role, delivering amazing flavor, moisture, and rich color so you get a dish that’s always delicious and memorable.

Ground Beef and Pork: Combining these creates a juicy texture and rich, savory base — don’t skip the pork; it brings classic Italian flavor.
Breadcrumbs: Essential for binding the meatballs and giving them that light, never-dense bite.
Grated Parmesan: Adds salty, nutty depth, and helps round out all the other flavors beautifully.
Eggs: Act as the glue, holding everything together while lending tenderness.
Garlic: Finely minced for a punch of fresh aroma — it elevates the whole batch with just the right amount of zing.
Italian Seasoning: A mix of Italian herbs that gives the meatballs their unmistakable warmth and personality.
Milk: Soaks into the breadcrumbs for extra moistness in every forkful.
Salt & Pepper: Don’t forget these! They finish and balance the flavors — taste as you go for best results.

How to Make Olive Garden Meatballs

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 400 °F. This is the magic temperature for a perfectly cooked batch of Olive Garden Meatballs — firm enough to hold their shape, but still meltingly tender inside. Give your baking sheet a quick lining with parchment paper for easy cleanup later.

Step 2: Mix the Ingredients

In a big mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, eggs, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, milk, salt, and pepper. Roll up your sleeves and use clean hands to gently blend everything. You want it well-mixed but not overly compacted, so the meatballs stay fluffy and light.

Step 3: Shape the Meatballs

Grab palmfuls of the meat mixture and gently roll them into balls about 1½ inches across — this is the iconic Olive Garden Meatballs size. Arrange them evenly on your prepared baking sheet with just a bit of breathing room so they bake up golden and not steamed.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Slide your tray into the hot oven and let the meatballs bake for 20 to 22 minutes. Check around the edges: they should look browned and the centers should be cooked through. If you love an extra hint of crispness, you can even brown them first in a little olive oil on the stove, then finish baking.

Step 5: Serve and Savor

Let the meatballs cool for five minutes before serving. Ladle them over a swirl of spaghetti or nestle them in a pool of marinara — there’s just something irresistible about that simple, classic combination.

How to Serve Olive Garden Meatballs

Garnishes

Sprinkle with extra grated Parmesan or a shower of fresh chopped parsley for color and a burst of flavor. A few turns of cracked black pepper or a drizzle of good olive oil make these Olive Garden Meatballs shine even brighter on the plate.

Side Dishes

Pair these beauties with buttery garlic bread, a crisp green salad, or creamy mashed potatoes for the ultimate Italian-American meal. They even work wonderfully alongside roasted veggies or a simple Caesar salad if you want something lighter but still totally satisfying.

Creative Ways to Present

Try threading Olive Garden Meatballs onto skewers for party appetizers or tucking them into a soft hoagie roll with sauce and cheese for homemade meatball subs. For a fun twist, serve them over creamy polenta or nestle them in slider buns for a crowd-pleasing snack.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Transfer any extra Olive Garden Meatballs to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to four days. The flavors deepen and develop overnight, making excellent next-day lunches!

Freezing

These meatballs freeze like a dream — just arrange cooled meatballs on a tray, freeze until solid, then move to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep for up to three months and are perfect to have ready for quick pasta nights.

Reheating

Warm your meatballs gently in a skillet with a splash of marinara over low heat, or microwave in 30-second bursts until they’re piping hot. Slow reheating helps them hold moisture and keeps that wonderful texture intact.

FAQs

Can I use all beef instead of a beef-pork mix?

You can, but the pork really contributes to the signature juiciness and flavor of Olive Garden Meatballs. If you’re in a pinch, all beef will work, but expect slightly less tenderness.

What’s the best type of breadcrumbs to use?

Regular plain breadcrumbs work great, but if you have Italian-style breadcrumbs on hand, they boost the flavor even more. Panko makes the meatballs a bit lighter, too!

Do Olive Garden Meatballs work in a slow cooker?

Absolutely! After baking or pan-searing, add the meatballs to your slow cooker with sauce and let them simmer on low for a few hours. They’ll soak up even more flavor.

How do I know when the meatballs are fully cooked?

The middles should no longer be pink and a thermometer should read at least 165 °F. The outsides will look beautifully browned and smell incredible.

Can I make Olive Garden Meatballs gluten-free?

Yes! Just swap the regular breadcrumbs for your favorite gluten-free alternative and double-check that your seasonings and cheese are gluten-free as well.

Final Thoughts

There’s a certain joy in bringing classic Olive Garden Meatballs to your own table — they’re easy, full of flavor, and always bring people together. Give them a try and let your kitchen fill with all the warm, irresistible smells of Italian comfort food. Your next cozy dinner night is just a batch of these meatballs away!