Description
This juicy saucy dinner is a no-fuss comfort meal that practically cooks itself. Whether you’re using a slow cooker or oven, these tender meatballs simmer in a rich, sweet-savory sauce that hugs every bite. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, hearty meal prep, or cozy comfort food idea, it’s a crowd-pleasing easy recipe with bold flavors, minimal hands-on time, and maximum satisfaction. Add this to your dinner ideas for a no-stress, flavorful family favorite.
Ingredients
250g ground beef
250g ground pork
60g breadcrumbs
1 egg
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
120g ketchup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Fresh parsley or rosemary, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, onion, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.
2. Shape the mixture into even meatballs and place in a single layer in your slow cooker or baking dish.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and Dijon mustard.
4. Pour the sauce over the meatballs, coating them evenly.
5. Cook on low for 6–7 hours or on high for 3–4 hours in a slow cooker. For oven: cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 40–45 minutes.
6. Garnish with chopped herbs before serving. Serve hot over your choice of rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes.
Notes
For leaner meatballs, use ground turkey or chicken with added moisture like olive oil or milk.
The sauce can be doubled for extra coverage or to serve over rice or noodles.
Add chili flakes or hot sauce to the mix if you prefer a spicier version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking or slow cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
Keywords: juicy meatballs, easy dinner, slow cooker meatballs, comfort food, weeknight dinner