Mom’s Applesauce Meatballs
Description:
A childhood favorite, whenever Mom made these meatballs they’d disappear quickly off the dinner table!
Recipe Category:
Fruit
Keywords:
Vegetable, Meat, Kid Friendly, Potluck, Weeknight, Oven, Less than 4 Hours, Easy
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 cup applesauce
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup flour
- 2 stalks celery
- 1 green pepper
- 1 carrot
- 1 onion
- 1 cup tomato juice
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 704.5
- Fat Content: 44g
- Saturated Fat Content: 15.1g
- Cholesterol Content: 260mg
- Sodium Content: 625.9mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 28.6g
- Fiber Content: 2.9g
- Sugar Content: 7.3g
- Protein Content: 47.8g
Aggregated Rating:
5/5 stars based on 2 reviews
Cook Time: 1 hour
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: Variable
Recipe Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, applesauce, and bread crumbs.
- Crack in the egg and season the mixture with salt and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Shape the mixture into small balls and roll them in flour until evenly coated.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs in the hot oil, working in batches if necessary.
- Once browned, transfer the meatballs to a casserole dish.
- In the same skillet, add the celery, green pepper, carrot, onion, and tomato juice to the drippings. Season with salt and pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then pour it over the meatballs in the casserole dish. This step is crucial for creating a flavorful sauce.
- Cover the casserole dish with a lid or aluminum foil and bake in a preheated moderate oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about an hour, or until the vegetables have broken down and created a rich sauce.
- If desired, you can thicken the gravy with a little flour-water paste before serving, ensuring a luscious texture to complement the tender meatballs.
Recipe Notes:
- Mom’s Applesauce Meatballs are a perfect combination of savory meatiness and subtle sweetness from the applesauce, making them irresistible to both kids and adults alike.
- This recipe is ideal for busy weeknights or potluck gatherings, as it requires minimal prep time and can be easily doubled or tripled to feed a crowd.
- Feel free to customize the vegetables based on your preferences or what you have on hand. You can also add additional spices or herbs to tailor the flavor to your liking.
- Serve these delicious meatballs over cooked pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes for a satisfying meal that will surely become a family favorite. Enjoy!
