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Make-Ahead Italian Meatballs

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  • Prep 15 min
  • Total 30 min
  • Servings 30
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Keep these easy-to-make meatballs on hand for last-minute dinner creations. Tossed with pasta or baked into a casserole, the possibilities are endless!
By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Updated May 10, 2005

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
  • 1/3 cup Progresso™ dry bread crumbs (any flavor)
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 cup chili sauce
  • 1/2 cup cold water
  • 1 jar (12 ounces) tomato pasta sauce (any variety)
  • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
Make With
Progresso Breadcrumbs

Steps

  • 1
    Heat oven to 400°F.
  • 2
    Mix ground beef, onion, bread crumbs, milk, egg, salt and pepper. Shape mixture into thirty 1-inch balls. Place in ungreased rectangular pan, 13x9x2 inches.
  • 3
    Bake uncovered about 15 minutes or until no longer pink in center and juice is clear. (To serve immediately, continue as directed in step 5--except decrease simmer time to 15 minutes.)
  • 4
    Place meatballs on ungreased cookie sheet. Freeze uncovered about 20 minutes or until firm. Place partially frozen meatballs in heavy plastic bag or freezer container. Seal, label and freeze no longer than 3 months.
  • 5
    About 25 minutes before serving, mix chili sauce, water, pasta sauce and mustard in 2-quart saucepan. Add meatballs. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally; reduce heat. Cover and simmer about 20 minutes or until meatballs are hot.

Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens

  • tip 1
    Partially freezing the meatballs before putting them in a plastic bag ensures that the meatballs won’t stick together and lose their shape when thawed.
  • tip 2
    These meatballs don’t have to look the same the second time around. Crumble leftovers and stir into chili, pasta sauce or a sloppy joe or taco mix.

Nutrition

65 Calories, 3 g Total Fat, 4 g Protein, 6 g Total Carbohydrate

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving
Calories
65
Calories from Fat
25
Total Fat
3 g
Saturated Fat
1 g
Cholesterol
15 mg
Sodium
270 mg
Potassium
130 mg
Total Carbohydrate
6 g
Dietary Fiber
0g
Protein
4 g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
4%
4%
Vitamin C
2%
2%
Calcium
0%
0%
Iron
2%
2%
Exchanges:
1 Vegetable;
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
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