Go Back
Awesome Sauce Party Meatballs

Awesome Sauce Party Meatballs

Tender, juicy meatballs smothered in a vibrant, homemade Awesome Sauce. A quick, healthy, and flavorful party snack!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 12 meatballs
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs:
  • 1 pound ground beef lean
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs whole wheat
  • 1/4 cup onion finely chopped
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • to taste Salt and pepper
For the Awesome Sauce:
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar lightly packed
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

Equipment

  • Large Bowl
  • Baking Sheet
  • Parchment Paper
  • Saucepan
  • Whisk

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a large bowl, gently mix all meatball ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix!
  3. Roll the mixture into small, 1-inch meatballs.
  4. Arrange meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  5. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through.
  6. While meatballs are baking, prepare the Awesome Sauce.
  7. In a saucepan, whisk together all Awesome Sauce ingredients.
  8. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
  9. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
  10. Once the meatballs are cooked, transfer them to the saucepan with the Awesome Sauce.
  11. Gently stir to coat each meatball evenly.
  12. Simmer for another 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
  13. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

For the juiciest meatballs, avoid overmixing the meat mixture. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour or breadcrumbs, resulting in tougher meatballs. Using lean ground beef will help keep the meatballs healthy without sacrificing flavor; however, using a slightly higher fat content (85/15) can enhance the tenderness. Be cautious not to overcrowd the baking sheet when baking the meatballs, as this can cause them to steam instead of brown. If necessary, bake in batches. Also, pre-baking reduces the fat content compared to pan frying. Homemade breadcrumbs add more flavor: simply toast some stale bread slices and pulse in a food processor. Feel free to customize the level of sweetness by adjusting the brown sugar amount to your preferences.