Make a panade: Soak the breadcrumbs in milk for a few minutes until they absorb the liquid. This keeps the meatballs tender.
Mix the rest of the ingredients together gently: Combine the ground beef, soaked breadcrumbs, egg, salt and pepper, and other seasonings. Don’t overmix—just fold everything together lightly.
Form mini meatballs: Roll them into tablespoon size balls. If they’re sticky, lightly oil your hands. I used a tablespoon to scoop the meat mixture, and then lightly rolled into a more uniform ball shape.
Bake for even cooking: Arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 375°F for 10-13 minutes.
Steam for extra moisture (optional): Right after baking, place them in a covered container for a few minutes—this traps steam and keeps them soft. Then serve.
If freezing, let them cool completely before storing in an airtight container for up to 1 to 2 months.