Creamy Baked Meatballs

Instructions:
Preheat the Oven:

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
Prepare the Meatballs:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, milk, egg, garlic, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, onion powder, and parsley.
Mix everything together until well combined, but be careful not to overmix.
Shape the mixture into meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet. You should get about 20-24 meatballs.
Bake the Meatballs:

Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until they are browned and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 160°F/71°C).
Make the Creamy Sauce:

While the meatballs are baking, heat the butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, until softened and translucent.
Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Bring to a simmer.
Add thyme, salt, and pepper, and let the sauce simmer for about 5-7 minutes, until it thickens slightly.
Stir in the Parmesan cheese (if using) for added richness.
Combine Meatballs and Sauce:

Once the meatballs are cooked, add them to the skillet with the creamy sauce. Gently stir to coat the meatballs in the sauce.
Let everything simmer together for 5-10 minutes so the flavors meld and the meatballs absorb some of the sauce.
Serve:

Serve the creamy baked meatballs over pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice. Garnish with extra parsley and Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Tips:
You can make the meatballs ahead of time and freeze them before baking. Just bake them from frozen, adding a few extra minutes of cooking time.
For a spicier kick, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the creamy sauce.
If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can let it simmer longer or add a slurry of cornstarch and water (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water).
Enjoy your creamy, tender meatballs!