Enjoy a fresh, veggie-forward twist on a classic with these Baked Broccoli Parmesan Meatballs, where tender broccoli florets and savory Parmesan come together in golden, oven-baked bites. Combine simple pantry ingredients and fresh vegetables to create meatballs that are crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, and full of comforting flavor. Serve them as a wholesome appetizer, a family-friendly dinner, on top of your favorite pasta or my Cheesy Rice.
Recipe at a glance
- Recipe: Baked Broccoli Parmesan Meatballs
- Serving: 4
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
- Key Ingredients: Broccoli Florets, Breadcrumbs, Grated Parmesan
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Ingredients
Find below the list of ingredients I used to make my Baked Broccoli Parmesan Meatballs recipe.
- Broccoli Rice
- Onion
- Breadcrumbs
- Grated Parmesan
- Large Egg
- Tomato Paste
- Salt
- Italian Seasoning
See recipe card for quantities.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Broccoli Rice: Substitute with cauliflower rice, or grated carrots for a similar texture and moisture level. Or why not try a blend of all three.
- Onion: Replace with shallots, leeks, or green onions for a milder flavor.
- Breadcrumbs: Swap with panko, crushed crackers, oat flour, or gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Grated Parmesan: Substitute with Pecorino Romano, Grana Padano, or a dairy-free Parmesan alternative.
- Large Egg: Replace with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 2½ tablespoon water) or chia egg for a vegan binding option.
- Tomato Paste: Use marinara sauce, crushed tomatoes (reduced), or sun-dried tomato paste for a similar savory depth.
- Salt: Substitute with kosher salt, sea salt, or reduce if using salty cheeses or sauces.
- Italian Seasoning: Replace with a blend of dried basil, oregano, and thyme, or use fresh herbs for a brighter flavor.
How to make broccoli rice
1. Food Processor Method:
Cut the broccoli into small florets, (thicker stems in 1 inch cubes), and add them to a food processor, and pulse in short bursts until the pieces resemble rice, stopping before they turn into a paste. Spread the riced broccoli on a clean towel and pat to remove excess moisture.
2. Box Grater Method:
Trim the broccoli and CAREFULLY use the large holes of a box grater to grate the florets into fine, rice-sized pieces. Gather the riced broccoli in a towel and gently squeeze to remove extra water.
3. Knife Method:
Finely chop the broccoli florets with a sharp knife, rocking the blade back and forth until the pieces are small and even, similar in size to grains of rice. Lightly pat the chopped broccoli dry before using.
How to make Baked broccoli parmesan meatballs
Preheat the oven: Preheat to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Measure out 3 cups of the prepared broccoli rice and place in a large mixing bowl.
2. Add to the broccoli rice, the breadcrumbs, parmesan, eggs, tomato paste, onion, salt, and Italian seasoning.
- Use a large spoon to stir ingredients. Press down on ingredients with back of spoon, helping the breadcrumbs to absorb the liquids.
- Divide the mixture into 16 portions and shape into balls. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Bake at 375F for 18 minutes, until golden.
How to store the meatballs
Store the Baked Broccoli Parmesan Meatballs by allowing them to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. Refrigerate the meatballs for up to 3 days to maintain their texture and flavor. Freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then move them to a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven, air fryer, or a covered skillet until warmed through and lightly crisp on the outside.
You may also like
If you enjoyed these Baked Broccoli Parmesan Meatballs, explore a few more recipes that highlight veggie-forward comfort and bold, satisfying flavors. Try the Sweet Potato Black Bean Meatballs for another hearty vegetarian option, or switch things up with Oven Baked Turkey Zucchini Meatballs for a protein-packed take loaded with extra vegetables. Keep the broccoli theme going with creamy, cozy favorites like Cajun Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo or the warming Cajun Broccoli Cheese Soup for easy weeknight dinners and meal-prep inspiration.
Recipe
Baked Broccoli Parmesan Meatballs
Ingredients
- 3 cups Broccoli riced
- ½ medium Yellow Onion finely minced
- ½ cup Breadcrumbs
- ⅓ cup Parmesan grated
- 2 large Eggs
- 1 tablespoon Tomato Paste
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Measure out 3 cups of the prepared broccoli rice and place in a large mixing bowl.
- Add to the broccoli rice, the breadcrumbs, parmesan, eggs, tomato paste, onion, salt, and Italian seasoning.
- Use a large spoon to stir ingredients. Press down on ingredients with back of spoon, helping the breadcrumbs to absorb the liquids.
- Divide the mixture into 16 portions and shape into balls. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Bake at 375F for 18 minutes, until golden.
Notes
Three ways how to make broccoli rice
1. Food Processor Method:Cut the broccoli into small florets, (thicker stems in 1 inch cubes), and add them to a food processor, and pulse in short bursts until the pieces resemble rice, stopping before they turn into a paste. Spread the riced broccoli on a clean towel and pat to remove excess moisture. 2. Box Grater Method:
Trim the broccoli and CAREFULLY use the large holes of a box grater to grate the florets into fine, rice-sized pieces. Gather the riced broccoli in a towel and gently squeeze to remove extra water. 3. Knife Method:
Finely chop the broccoli florets with a sharp knife, rocking the blade back and forth until the pieces are small and even, similar in size to grains of rice. Lightly pat the chopped broccoli dry before using.
Just tried these today and they were delicious! I didn’t have enough broccoli on hand for three cups so I substituted 1 cup of grated carrot. Also added 1 cloves worth of chopped garlic (because I love garlic).
Tip - do not skip patting dry your broccoli. Leaving it moist leads to a soggy mixture. My second batch was definitely better than the first.
Another winner. ????