Best Ever Meatballs Mom's Recipe

This family-favorite sweet and sour meatball recipe has been passed down for generations! Incredibly versatile, it freezes beautifully, making it perfect for meal prepping, potlucks, or a special weeknight dinner. Get ready for a flavor explosion – you've never tasted sweet and sour meatballs this good! This make-ahead recipe is a must-try.

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 90 mins
Calories 503.7 kcal
Protein 51g
Rating Be the first
Best Ever Meatballs Mom's 268

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Forktionary editorial kitchen team

The Forktionary Kitchen Team

Adapted from Food.com, then tested & standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Best Ever Meatballs Mom's

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • Onion
  • Carrots
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • Lemon Juice
  • 1/2 cup Splenda Brown Sugar Blend
  • Tomato Soup
  • Water
  • Celery
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

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How to Make Best Ever Meatballs Mom's

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a large bowl, gently combine 1 lb ground beef, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
  3. Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
  4. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides, about 8-10 minutes total.
  5. Transfer the browned meatballs to a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  6. In a medium saucepan, whisk together 1 cup ketchup, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, and 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger.
  7. Pour the sauce evenly over the meatballs in the baking dish.
  8. Bake for 1 hour, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce is bubbly.
  9. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Serve over rice or mashed potatoes for a complete meal.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

15 g

Sugar

134g

Fat

25g

Carbs

23g

Recipe Categories (Choose a category and find related recipes!)

Starters Appetizers & Snacks Main Courses Main Dish / Dinner Beef & Red Meat Ground Beef Recipes American Holiday Recipes Game Day Recipes

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

Lactose Time To Make Course Main Ingredient Cuisine Preparation Occasion North American Healthy Casseroles Main Dish Beef Canadian Oven Easy Diabetic Dinner Party Holiday Event Kid Friendly Kosher Crock Pot Slow Cooker Freezer Dietary One Dish Meal Low Sodium Low Cholesterol Low Calorie Comfort Food Wedding Inexpensive Healthy 2 Ground Beef Free Of Something Toddler Friendly Low In Something Meat Taste Mood Sweet Equipment 4 Hours Or Less

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make Best Ever Meatballs Mom's?

Best Ever Meatballs Mom's takes about 110 minutes from start to finish — roughly 20 minutes to prepare and 90 minutes to cook.

How many calories are in Best Ever Meatballs Mom's?

Best Ever Meatballs Mom's has approximately 503.7 calories per serving, with about 51 g protein, 23 g carbohydrates and 20 g fat.

What ingredients do I need for Best Ever Meatballs Mom's?

The key ingredients for Best Ever Meatballs Mom's are Hamburger, Onion, Carrots, Vinegar, Lemon Juice, Splenda Brown Sugar Blend. See the full list with measurements above.

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