I suppose I’ve had this recipe all my life, because I remember my mom making this very early in my youth. It feeds a crowd and can be baked in the oven on baking sheets with the sauce poured over to caramelize into a sticky flavorful glaze. Or, I’ve cooked the meatballs separately and then scooped them into a crock pot, topped with the sauce and gave a gentle stir to combine. After a couple hours on low the dish is steamy warm and easy to transport.
The best part about this recipe is the sauce. Every time I make this easy BBQ sauce, I wonder why I ever grab a bottle of at the store. I love the flavor combination of ketchup, brown sugar and liquid smoke. It’s my kind of BBQ flavor, and it’s easy.
Last Saturday night our cul-de-sac held a pre-hibernation block party. What a perfect evening. The temperature was mild, the wind was calm, and the tables were filled with delicious pot luck dishes, a small toddler’s swimming pool brimmed with iced beer, and one whole table featured bottles of wine. We met all of our new neighbors and I must say…we blended. Nearly everyone is our age and all are as thrilled to have moved into this community as we are. We’re a happy and grateful bunch.
I brought these meatballs and not many came home with us. More than just one, but a the crockpot was pretty empty on the return trip home. One neighbor commented that he had eaten about 20 of them. Don’t you love hearing comments like that over your food? I do.
- 3 pounds ground beef extra lean
- 13 ounces evaporated milk
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups saltine crackers crushed
- 1 whole onion diced
- 1 clove garlic crushed
- 3 teaspoons chili powder
- Sauce:
- 4 cups catsup
- 1 large sweet onion diced
- 2 clove garlic crushed
- 4 tablespoons liquid smoke flavoring
- 3 cups brown sugar firmly packed
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.Mix first 9 ingredients together and form into balls about 1 1/2 to 2 inches in diameter. Place on two 9 x 13 baking dishes, sprayed with no-stick spray. cover liberally with sauce and bake for 30 - 45 minutes or until meatballs are done. (time depends on meatball size)
- Sauce Directions:
- In a sauce pan, mix catsup, onion, garlic, liquid smoke, brown sugar and bring to a boil.
- This makes around 90 meatballs. Taste and adjust flavors to your liking. I've always had a little bit of extra BBQ sauce left over. It all depends on how saucy you want the final mixture. I like enough sauce just to generously coat the meatballs and to form into a caramelized glaze when baked.
Mom’s BBQ Meatballs…They’re What’s for a Pot Luck.
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen says
October 18, 2014 at 4:12 pmIt sounds like your meatballs were a bit hit – and no wonder, they look delicious. I love it when that happens. So glad you like your new neighborhood.
Sam
Lea Ann Brown says
October 21, 2014 at 6:58 amI’m so glad we like our neighborhood too Sam. 🙂
pam (Sidewalk Shoes) says
October 18, 2014 at 7:29 pmThis makes me want to do something like this in my neighborhood. And, I can bring your meatballs 🙂
Lea Ann Brown says
October 21, 2014 at 6:58 amI loved our little block party…. and those meatballs. 🙂
Larry says
October 19, 2014 at 3:11 pmThat shot in the spoon is classic and makes me want to pop it in my mouth. I love it when a recipe included the words mom or grandma and this one sounds like it fits my image. I love the “pre-hibernation” party idea and it’s great you hit it off with your new neighbors – not at all a surprise though.
Lea Ann Brown says
October 21, 2014 at 6:59 amThanks Larry.
Karen Harris says
October 19, 2014 at 4:20 pmThis is kind of like a party meatball recipe that I have been making for years too. Don’t you just love those community cookbook type recipes? I know I do. Yours sounds wonderful. I’m giving these a go during the holidays. They sound perfect for a potluck. So glad you are blending in with your neighbors. Sounds like you landed in a great community.
Lea Ann Brown says
October 21, 2014 at 6:59 amThanks Karen.
Barb says
October 19, 2014 at 5:39 pmSounds like a good and quick cold weather dish. Anything that can be made ahead in the crock pot is great for winter ski suppers!
Lea Ann Brown says
October 21, 2014 at 7:00 amWouldn’t that be a nice thing to come home to after a day on the slopes?
cheri says
October 19, 2014 at 7:35 pmHi Lea Ann, sounds like you are located in a wonderful community. Great appetizer recipe!
Lea Ann Brown says
October 21, 2014 at 7:00 amThanks Cheri.
Vickie says
October 19, 2014 at 8:32 pmYeah for a fun new neighborhood and your mom’s delicious meatballs! Now I see where you got your mad cooking skills! 🙂
Lea Ann Brown says
October 21, 2014 at 7:01 amI loved our little party Vickie. And yes, a great move for us.
Linda | Brunch with Joy says
October 19, 2014 at 9:56 pmNom nom – what a coincidence. I actually just talked about meatballs party with my sister yesterday and this is an ultimate recipe.
Lea Ann Brown says
October 21, 2014 at 7:01 amThanks Linda.
Heather says
October 20, 2014 at 8:02 amI think that meatballs are the BEST pot luck food, EVER! Im a meatball fanatic! Thanks for sharing your recipe. Im always looking for a new way to make them! Yum-me!
Lea Ann Brown says
October 21, 2014 at 7:01 amThanks Heather
Debra says
October 20, 2014 at 1:07 pmI love the idea of a pre-hibernation party!!!! I would love to hibernate with these.
Lea Ann Brown says
October 21, 2014 at 7:02 amAnd how lucky were we that we had mild weather?
Susan says
October 21, 2014 at 8:38 amWhat a wonderful place you’ve moved to, Lea Ann! Everyone sounds so friendly and outgoing. Your mom’s meatballs look perfect for a group gathering like that. They sound wonderful and the BBQ sauce looks delicious. Tasty little morsels!
Lea Ann Brown says
October 22, 2014 at 6:35 amThanks Susan.
Jess says
October 21, 2014 at 8:11 pmYUM! These sound so delicious~ I’m always on the look out for party food and pot lucks!
Lea Ann Brown says
October 22, 2014 at 6:35 amThanks Jess. And thanks for stopping in and the comment. Heading over to check out your blog.
Holly says
October 21, 2014 at 9:27 pmWe had a cul-de-sac get together recently too and I wish we had the toddler pool full of drinks! Instead we had toddlers : ) Not quite the same but still fun. I was going to make chili to share with neighbors before trick or treating but I may change my mind and make your meatballs instead. They sound great for a crowd.
Lea Ann Brown says
October 22, 2014 at 6:34 amI think I prefer the toddler pool of beer over the toddlers …. too funny.
Barbara says
October 22, 2014 at 6:21 amI’m still smiling over the “pre-hibernation block party”! Too funny. We always need a pot luck dish to take to parties….I usually stick with appetizers or a cake, but I’d love to make these. Two of those parties coming up in December. Your meatballs will be a big hit, Lea Ann. Love that photo…sticky and delicious!
Lea Ann Brown says
October 22, 2014 at 6:34 amThat’s what I love about this recipe Barbara, is how the sauce “glazes” into a sticky treat. Good to hear from you.
John@Kitchen Riffs says
October 22, 2014 at 2:57 pmI like the idea of a pre-hibernation block party! We had a block party this past Saturday, but didn’t think of that theme. Next year we will! 😉 And I love these meatballs — loads of flavor. And who doesn’t like meatballs? Glad you enjoy your new neighborhood.
Lea Ann Brown says
October 25, 2014 at 2:04 pmI thought it was very clever. My neighbor’s idea.
Carol at Wild Goose Tea says
October 22, 2014 at 4:58 pmI love tried and true recipes. They are THE best. This is especially nice because I am a meat ball fiend. I don’t make them often enough for myself, so they always seem a treat. Lovely recipe, thanx for sharing. A pre hibernation party?
I like it. Wonderful the weather cooperated.
Lea Ann Brown says
October 25, 2014 at 2:03 pmI don’t make them often enough either. Only when I need to feed a crowd. Always good to hear from you Carol.
Amira says
October 23, 2014 at 10:50 amThis might be it!!! the sauce I’m looking for. Every time I make meat loaf my kids brag about the sauce they have at school and how mom cannot make a sauce that is even CLOSER to their sauce at school. I’ll try your sauce next time.
P.S: Thank you for being there during my hard time, your words meant a lot to me.
Lea Ann Brown says
October 25, 2014 at 2:03 pmSo good to hear from you Amira. Let me know about the sauce.
Jaren (Diary of a Recipe Collector) says
October 24, 2014 at 8:16 pmLove recipes like this one! Thanks for linking up with SNF! Pinned to our party board!
Lea Ann Brown says
October 25, 2014 at 2:02 pmThanks Jaren.
Adri says
October 25, 2014 at 10:11 pmWow! These meatballs sound wonderful, and just perfect for a potluck. Seeing Saltines as an ingredient makes me think of my mom. She always used Saltines in her meatloaf.
Lea Ann Brown says
October 26, 2014 at 6:14 amYou’ve got a great point Adri. My mom always used saltines in her meatloaf too.
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
October 26, 2014 at 7:38 amI love neighborhood parties. Like you most of our neighbors are our age with just a couple of exceptions. We all live along the water so it’s always outside and everyone is always hungry. I’m going to bring your mother’s meatballs next time!
Lea Ann Brown says
October 26, 2014 at 9:03 amWe’re very happy here Maureen. Always good to hear from you.
Kate says
October 26, 2014 at 9:16 amBBQ is always great….I have never tried BBQ meatballs, am going to do it soon. Sounds as though you have a lovely group of neighbors!
Lea Ann Brown says
October 27, 2014 at 5:40 amThanks Kate.
Chris says
October 30, 2014 at 7:17 pmThose do sound superb, Lea Ann. I never get tired of these and when everyone else at the party is turning to desserts, I find myself fishing the last of the meatballs out of the sauce as my dessert.
Lea Ann Brown says
November 1, 2014 at 6:26 amI’d be right there with you.