Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C) or get a skillet hot on the stove. Either set the stage for baking or pan-searing—your call.

In a bowl, combine beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, onion, red pepper flakes, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined—no overworking, or you’ll get dense meatballs that could audition for a horror movie.

Shape the mixture into evenly sized meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter. Space them on a baking sheet if baking, or ready your skillet for a sear.

Option A: Bake 15-18 minutes, then spoon tomato sauce over the meatballs and bake 5-7 more minutes. Option B: Sear in olive oil 2-3 minutes per side, then simmer in tomato sauce 15 minutes until cooked through. Both paths lead to delicious glory.

Serve hot with the sauce spooned over the top. If you like, garnish with parsley or basil for a pop of color.