The perfect party appetizer or main course that is loaded with flavor and made from simple ingredients you already have in your pantry. The sweet and tangy sauce turns into a thick, delicious glaze and you can serve them over rice, noodles or as a stand-alone dish to bring to your next party! 🙂

We love all things BBQ and these meatballs are no exception. They’re so simple to make and they’re always a favorite when we have guests over. My mom’s BBQ meatballs were actually one of the first things I learned how to make after I got married. Why not dive in head first, eh? Lol. I have zero shame and just being real, but I was 25 when I moved out and got married. I had absolutely NO idea how to even boil water! I wasn’t the least bit interested in cooking and warned my husband several times during our engagement but you can see how well that worked out. 😉 (he doesn’t cook either so we were kinda doomed!) Anyways, more on this later. I have the best stories all about my mess-ups! Ha!!!

This recipe starts with homemade meatballs, which are a combination of ground beef, seasoned breadcrumbs, eggs, milk, salt and pepper. You can also take the easy route and just buy frozen meatballs, no judgement here! The mixture is then rolled into balls and baked until browned. When you’re ready for the sauce, you can either put them in the slow cooker or bake them.

If you’re making homemade meatballs, I feel like I NEED to say this. Because I’m very OCD about ground beef. Don’t overmix the meat! It becomes tough and rubbery and nobody wants that. Gently mix the meat with your hands just until it’s combined. The meatballs will turn out with perfect texture. I’ve mentioned before that I have texture issues, right? K, we’re good. 😉 Also, if you use a teeny bit of oil on your hands before rolling them, it helps the meatballs keep a nice round shape instead of all clumpy looking.  

Yied: 4-6 servings

INGREDIENTS

MEATBALLS

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 2 eggs 
• 1/4 cup milk 
• 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs 
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

SAUCE

• 2 cups ketchup 
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 2 teaspoons white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 
• 1 teaspoon mustard

INSTRUCTIONS

MEATBALLS

1. Preheat the oven to 400F.
2. In a large bowl, add the ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, milk, salt and pepper.
3. Mix with your hands gently until just combined. 
4. Rub a little oil on your hands and roll the meat mixture into 1 inch meatballs and place the meatballs on a lightly greased sheet pan.
5. Bake for 25 minutes.

SAUCE

1. In a saucepan over medium heat, add all 7 sauce ingredients. 
2. Bring to a boil.
3. Turn down to low medium heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes. 
4. Once the meatballs are finished baking, turn the oven down to 350F.
5. Place meatballs in a lightly greased oven safe casserole dish and pour sauce over meatballs. 
6. Bake at 350F for 30 minutes.
7. Serve over rice or noodles or by themselves as a great appetizer!

RECIPE NOTES

• You can place the meatballs in a slow cooker with the sauce for 4 hours on low. 
• If you are using frozen meatballs, cook them for 3-4 hours on high.
• This dish freezes really well! You can freeze the meatballs with the sauce and just warm them through either in the slow cooker or on the stovetop.