If you love an easy breakfast, these meatballs are a simple, high-protein option you can prep ahead of time and pop into the oven in the morning. Serve them up with a creamy sauce, eggs, or your favorite animal-based sides and you’re in for a delight.

Ingredients

1 lb bulk breakfast sausage (see notes)
3 oz cream cheese, softened
1 egg
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (about 4 oz)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Put all of the ingredients in a large bowl and mix well until combined. The mixture will be wet and will not form perfectly.
3. Separate the mixture into 12 equal portions and roll them into balls.
4. Place the meatballs on a sheet pan and bake for 16–20 minutes, until cooked through and golden brown on top. When done, they’ll no longer be pink in the center, and the internal temperature will be 160°F.

Air Fryer Method

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Add the meatballs and bake for 18–20 minutes, until browned and cooked through. They’re done when they’re no longer pink in the center and reach an internal temperature of 160°F.

Notes

Be aware of the ingredients in breakfast sausage and read labels carefully. Breakfast sausage often contains seasonings, sugar, and oils you may want to avoid. If you prefer, use ground pork instead. Look for brands that list only simple seasonings.

This recipe lives in my cookbook — it’s one of those “I need something fast, tasty, and not chaotic” kind of meals. You can find more recipes like this one here.