How Long Does It Take to Bake Meatballs?
Meatballs, a staple in Italian cookbooks, have found their way onto the menus of most modern-day kitchens. Cooking times for this savory dish vary based on the type of meat you're using. Does this Spark an idea?
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Traditional Meatballs
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Typically, meatballs are composed primarily of beef or a combination of beef, pork and veal. If you're going the traditional route and using beef, you can expect your meatballs will take about 35 to 40 minutes to cook in an oven set at 350 degrees. Meatballs made of the beef, pork and veal combination take about 25 minutes to bake.
Turkey
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For a leaner option, meatballs can be made out of turkey. If you've selected this variation, meatballs take slightly longer to cook. Expect your cooking time to be about 20 minutes in an oven set at 350 degrees.
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Preparation
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However, before you shove your meatballs in the oven and wait for the result, make sure you're adequately prepared. Preheat the oven to the recommended temperature. Also, apply nonstick spray to your baking sheet if the recipe calls for it.
Size
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The size of your meatball could also affect the time it takes to cook. Typically, meatballs are about 1 1/2 to 2 inches in size. If you prefer jumbo-sized meatballs, they'll take longer to cook.
Fun Fact
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Italians didn't eat meatballs in large quantities before immigrating to America. In fact, meatballs became a regular in many Italian kitchens once they immigrated to America, where there was an abundance of meat. In their native European country, Italians typically ate meat only a few times each month.
Alternative Cooking Methods
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Baking meatballs in the oven isn't the only way to cook these additions to pasta. Meatballs can also be fried in oil on the stove top. This method takes about 30 minutes.
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