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Dinner plate with Amish meatballs

Homemade Oven-Baked BBQ Meatballs Recipe

These Amish BBQ meatballs are the perfect combo of savory, sweet, and smokey. Tender oven-baked meatballs that can be served as a main dish or an appetizer,
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine American, Amish
Servings 22 people
Calories 310 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3 lb. ground beef
  • 1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk (or 1 1/2 c. half & half)
  • 1 c. crushed saltine cracker crumbs (about 28 crackers)
  • 3/4 c. quick oats
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 c. chopped onion
  • 2 tsp. salt
  • 2 tsp. chili powder
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • 3/4 tsp. black pepper

BBQ Sauce:

  • 2 1/2 c. ketchup
  • 3/4 - 1 c. brown sugar
  • 1/4 c. chopped onion, or 2 tsp. dried onion flakes
  • 1 tsp. liquid smoke
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Combine the seasonings, milk, oats, crumbs, and eggs. Mix well.
    1 c. crushed saltine cracker crumbs (about 28 crackers), 3/4 c. quick oats, 2 eggs, 1/2 c. chopped onion, 2 tsp. salt, 2 tsp. chili powder, 1 tsp. garlic powder, 3/4 tsp. black pepper, 1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk (or 1 1/2 c. half & half)
  • Add the hamburger and mix only to combine. Overmixing will create tough meatballs.
    3 lb. ground beef
  • Roll the mixture into 1 1/2" balls and place single-layer into a baking dish.
  • Spoon the barbecue sauce over the top of each meatball and bake, uncovered, for 35 - 45 minutes.
  • If you want to freeze some of these meatballs for later use. Shape the meatballs and place them in single-layer on parchment-lined cookie sheets. Freeze until solid. Then store the meatballs in freezer bags until ready to bake. Place frozen meatballs in a baking dish, pour the sauce over them, and bake for approx. 1 hour.

Barbecue Sauce:

  • Combine all the ingredients and stir until sugar is dissolved. Spoon the sauce over the top of each meatball.
    2 1/2 c. ketchup, 3/4 - 1 c. brown sugar, 1/4 c. chopped onion, or 2 tsp. dried onion flakes, 1 tsp. liquid smoke, 1 tsp. garlic powder

Notes

If you'll be serving the meatballs as appetizers, roll them into 1" balls. This recipe yields about 45 (1 1/2") meatballs.
These meatballs are versatile. They can be shaped and refrigerated overnight before adding sauce and baking. They can be shaped and frozen for later use. Or they can also be frozen as leftovers and reheated.
*Nutrition is approximate.

Nutrition

Serving: 2meatballsCalories: 310kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 14gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 59mgSodium: 577mgPotassium: 372mgFiber: 2gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 294IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 41mgIron: 3mg
Keyword Amish Barbecue Meatballs, Baked BBQ meatballs, Homemade BBQ meatballs
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