5 in 1 Meatball Recipe
Meatballs are a family favorite. I mean, if you don’t like meatballs, we probably can’t be friends. They are the perfect appetizer, potluck dish, or family friendly meal. The best part? This is the ONLY meatball recipe you need! To vary it up, I just change the sauce that I cook it in. So, let’s get started!
First, line your baking sheet with aluminum foil. Then collect all your ingredients. I mix these with my hands, so once they are in the bowl, I don’t want to have to go back and grab anything! You will need:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1 egg
- 1/4 c tomato juice
- 6 – 10 saltine crackers
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic salt
After I have collected all the ingredients, I put them all in the bowl and mix them up. I always add the beef last, again so I don’t get my hands dirty right away! If its a little too wet and there is extra liquid, I will add more crackers. Too dry where its kind of crumbly, I will add a little extra tomato juice.
At this point you can actually turn this into a meatloaf by shaping it into a loaf plan and covering it with ketchup. Bake at 350 for about 45 minutes, until center is browned. Else, shape it into balls. I try to make them about walnut sized and I will get about 24 meatballs.
If they are for appetizers or a potluck, I will make them smaller. If you make them smaller, you will need to cut down the broil time by a few minutes.
Place the meatballs on the foil lined baking sheet and broil for 7 minutes. Flip and broil for 7 more minutes.
Sauce Options
Now it is time for the sauce and the variations. Here are some of our favorites:
- BBQ Sauce – for Appetizers or Main Dish.
- Marinara for Meatball Subs
- Spaghetti Sauce – for Spaghetti! (duh)
- Swedish (I cheat and just use cream of mushroom with some beef broth) – Serve over mashed potatoes and egg noodles.
- Brown Gravy – Serve with mashed potatoes
It really doesn’t matter which sauce you choose, put the meatballs in a casserole dish, mix with the desired sauce and bake at 350˚ for 30 minutes.
I hope you enjoy! Please let me know in the comments below if you try them or if you have any questions!
Easy Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 c chopped onion
- 1 egg
- 1/4 c tomato juice
- 6 – 10 saltine crackers
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic salt
Instructions
- Line a cookie sheet with alumninum foil. Set oven to broil.
- Crumble 6 crackers in a mixing bowl.
- Add remaining ingredients.
- Mix with your hands or a wooden spoon.
- If mixture is too sticky and wet, add remaining crackers as needed.
- To make meatloaf at this point, place into a bread loaf pan, cover with ketchup and bake for 45 minutes at 350° or until center reaches 165°.
- Form into walnut sized balls and place onto lined cookie sheet.
- Broil for 6 minutes. Flip using tongs and broil 6 more minutes.
- Remove to a 9×9 casserole dish and top with desired sauce. Bake for 30 minutes at 350˚.
Also, be sure to check out my other recipes!
