Our Family’s Favorite…Barbecue Meatballs

This is my family’s favorite main dish. My mother-in-law graciously shared this recipe and everyone loves it! I’ve gotten to the point of just dumping in the spices instead of measuring so it always tastes a little different but it is always wonderful! I serve these with cheesy potatoes or mashed potatoes.. If you make a double batch they freeze really well too.  When I freeze them, I always add a little water to the pan before I bake or the sauce gets really thick!

Meatball Ingredients:

1 1/2 lb ground beef

1 c. quick cooking oatmeal

1 egg

1/2 c. chopped onion

1/4 tsp. pepper

1 small can evaporated milk

1/4/tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. chili powder

Sauce Ingredients:

1 c. Heinz ketchup

1 c. water

1/4 c. chopped onion

1 tsp. liquid smoke (optional)

3/4 c. brown sugar

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

These meatballs can be made in 2 ways.  The original directions do not call for browning the meatballs before baking them.  I brown mine first.  I will include both directions and you can choose which you like better!

Directions Without Browning Meatballs:

Preheat oven to 350º.  Mix all meatball ingredients together in a large bowl and then shape into walnut-size meatballs.  (I make mine larger than that).  Place in a 9″ X 13″ pan.  Prepare sauce and stir until the brown sugar dissolves.  Pour over meatballs and bake at 350º for 1 hour.

Directions With Browning Meatballs:

Preheat oven to 350º.  Mix all meatball ingredients together in a large bowl and then shape into walnut-size meatballs.  (I make mine larger than that).   Place into a skillet and brown both sides.

After they are browned, place into a  9″ X 13″ pan.

Prepare sauce and stir until the brown sugar dissolves.

Pour over meatballs and bake at 350º for 45 minutes to 1 hour (it usually doesn’t take an hour because they are already partially cooked when you put them in the oven.