Ground Beef Mix (For Meatloaf and Meatballs)
🕒 Prep Time: 15 minutes
🍽️ Total Time: 1 hour and 45 minutes
🍔 Recipe Yield: 3-4 dozen meatballs
Description:
These savory meatloaves and meatballs are not just delicious but also incredibly convenient, especially for busy households or quick weeknight dinners. Originally created to cater to the appetites of growing boys, these freezer-friendly delights have stood the test of time, offering a tasty solution for those days when you need a meal in a hurry!
Recipe Category: Meat
Keywords: Canadian, Kid Friendly, Potluck, Weeknight, Oven, Freezer, < 4 Hours, Easy, Inexpensive
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 3299.6
- Fat: 199.4g
- Saturated Fat: 76g
- Cholesterol: 1316mg
- Sodium: 2952.3mg
- Carbohydrates: 102.1g
- Fiber: 9.5g
- Sugar: 20.2g
- Protein: 257.7g
Ingredients:
| Ingredients | Quantities |
|---|---|
| Tomato sauce | 24 |
| Eggs | 3 |
| Onion | 1 |
| Green pepper | 1/2 |
| Salt | 2 tsp |
| Dried thyme | 1 tsp |
| Ground beef | 8 cups |
Instructions:
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Combine first 8 ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add tomato sauce, eggs, finely chopped onion, diced green pepper, salt, and dried thyme. Mix well to combine all the ingredients thoroughly.
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Add ground beef and mix: Once the initial ingredients are well combined, add the ground beef to the mixture. Use your hands or a spatula to thoroughly mix the ground beef with the other ingredients until evenly distributed.
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Divide meat mixture: Split the mixed meat mixture in half, as it will be used for both meatloaf and meatballs.
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For meatloaf: Shape half of the meat mixture into three separate loaves. Ensure they are shaped uniformly and place them in a large, high-sided baking dish, making sure they do not touch each other.
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Bake meatloaf: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), then bake the meatloaves for approximately 1 hour, or until cooked through. Once done, allow them to cool completely.
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Wrap and freeze: Once cooled, wrap each meatloaf individually in heavy-duty foil, ensuring they are labeled properly with the date. Place them in the freezer for storage.
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To serve meatloaf: When ready to enjoy, thaw the meatloaves in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, bake them in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for around 30 minutes or until heated through.
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For meatballs: With the remaining half of the meat mixture, shape it into meatballs. You can use a cookie scoop for uniformity, if available.
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Prepare for baking: Place the meatballs on a broiler pan, allowing any excess fat to drain away during cooking.
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Bake meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 30 minutes, or until cooked through and golden brown.
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Portion and freeze: Once the meatballs are cooked, divide them into meal-sized portions. For convenient storage, freeze them on a single layer on cookie sheets until individually frozen. Once frozen, transfer them into freezer bags, ensuring they are labeled with the contents and date.
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Add seasoning to taste: Feel free to customize the seasoning of your meatloaves and meatballs according to your preference. Popular options include Italian seasoning or a dash of cayenne pepper for added flavor.
This versatile ground beef mix is not only easy to prepare but also incredibly versatile, allowing you to enjoy delicious meatloaves and meatballs whenever the craving strikes. Whether you’re feeding a crowd at a potluck or simply looking for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite. Enjoy!
