Saucy BBQ Meatballs Go Great With Mashed Potatoes.

You will love these saucy meatballs with BBQ flavor over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes. This kid-friendly dinner can also be considered an easy struggle meal as it uses a few simple ingredients. It’s not only deliciously sweet and meaty but it is also perfect for switching it up from gravy and potatoes. With minimal effort, you can enjoy these with various side dishes. This tasty meal is ideal for your family dinner.

I developed this easy meatball recipe while considering budget-friendly meals for home cooks who are seeking new and affordable ways to feed their families. The goal was to create a hearty, flavorful dish that was both budget-friendly and crowd-pleasing. It is also super easy to whip together, making it a busy mom’s lifesaver dinner. While it may take time to bake, it frees you up to work on peeling potatoes for the mash. 

If you’re looking for more great meatball recipes, try our baked garlic parm meatballs with your next pasta dinner!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Flavor-Packed: The combination of BBQ sauce with a hint of chipotle pepper and dry mustard creates a unique and delicious flavor profile.

Versatile: Serve these meatballs with mashed potatoes, or mix them with pasta, rice, or even on a sub roll for a meatball sandwich.

Easy Preparation: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this meatball recipe is great for busy weeknights or meal prepping.

Let’s Get These Tasty BBQ Meatballs Cooking!

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While heating the oven, prepare the meatball mixture by combining your lean ground beef with the garlic powder, egg, salt and bread crumbs in a large bowl. Mix the meatball ingredients thoroughly until they are well combined; you don’t want pockets of breadcrumbs or cooked bits of egg in your finished meatballs. Shape the meat mixture into uniform meatballs and pack about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter tightly. Place on a plate while you heat the skillet with oil to brown the meatballs. 

Turn the element to medium heat and add olive or neutral oil to brown it in a large frying pan. It’s essential to use oil or a good-quality, non-stick pan, as we want to give the meatballs a nice brown exterior before baking them in the sauce. 

Add the meatballs to the heated oil in a single layer, being careful not to have them touching. Using a wooden spoon or other kitchen tool, gently roll the meatballs over in the pan so that all sides have time to brown. This process should take at most 5-8 minutes. Remove the meatballs from the skillet and place them in a shallow baking dish. I used my glass 9 x 13 baking dish as it was handy. There also was plenty of room for the sauce, which will boil as it heats in the pan, so remember to leave extra room near the top to compensate for bubbling. 

Another way to protect your oven from spillovers is to simply place a cookie sheet under the baking dish. Although we are covering the dish with foil, accidental spillage can still occur. 

Next, prepare the BBQ sauce in a bowl by whisking together the ketchup, water,  Worcestershire sauce, diced onion, dry mustard powder, chipotle pepper, and brown sugar. Ensure the sauce is smooth and all ingredients are well mixed. Pour the prepared BBQ sauce evenly over the meatballs, making sure each meatball is well coated. Place covered in the preheated oven and bake for 30-45 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and have reached an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) and the sauce is bubbly.

You may wonder if you couldn’t make these as easily in your slow cooker. You can! Just be sure to brown the meatballs before adding them to the crockpot and covering them with the sauce. This actually works really well because there is so much sauce, and it’s thin enough that you don’t have to worry too much about cooking it all off. 

Once done, remove the meatballs from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. Serve the meatballs over mashed potatoes, making a well in the center of the potatoes to hold more of the homemade barbecue sauce if desired. This will create a fun “lava” effect for kids to enjoy. 

To soak up the extra sauce, you can also serve homemade meatballs and sauce with crusty French bread. Or try these little guys on top of a brown or white rice bed, over your favorite noodles, or all on their own as a tasty appetizer. Feel free to experiment with serving them in different ways as that’s one of the best things about these saucy meatballs-their versatility in pairing with other things. 

Ingredients:

Lean Ground Beef: This grade of ground meat provides the base for the meatballs without adding too much fat. Since the meatballs are cooked in the sauce, less fat is better. 

Garlic Powder: Adds a savory flavor to the beef. 

Egg: Binds the meaty ingredients together to form small meatballs more easily.

Breadcrumbs: Helps to hold the meatballs together and add texture.

Olive Oil: Used for browning the meatballs.

Ketchup: Form the BBQ sauce base; it’s a low-cost ingredient that kids love. 

Water: Adjust the consistency of the sauce.

Worcestershire Sauce: It adds depth to the overall flavor of the sauce

Diced Onion: Adds a subtle sweetness and depth to the sauce.

Dry Mustard: Adds a subtle tangy heat to the BBQ sauce, which enhances the overall flavor profile without overpowering the other ingredients.

Chipotle Pepper: Provides a smoky kick.

Brown Sugar: Balances the tanginess of the ketchup and adds sweetness.

Substitutions and Add-Ins For These Tasty Little Meatballs.

Ground Beef: Swap with ground chicken or turkey or make them with ground pork. 

Garlic Powder: Use minced fresh garlic for a more intense flavor.

Egg: *Should not be altered in recipe

Breadcrumbs: Substitute with crushed crackers or gluten-free breadcrumbs.

Ketchup: Try BBQ sauce for a different twist or a homemade version.

Water: Use beef broth for a more decadent sauce.

Diced Onion: Replace with finely chopped shallots or leeks.

Worcestershire Sauce: Soy sauce or tamari can be used for a similar umami flavor, though they may add a bit more saltiness.

Dry Mustard Powder: Dijon mustard or yellow mustard can be used in place of dry mustard powder for a tangier, slightly more pronounced mustard flavor.

Chipotle Pepper: Use smoked paprika for a milder smoky flavor.

Brown Sugar: Switch for honey or maple syrup.

Expert Tips, Serving And Storing Suggestions For This Meatball Dish

Tip #1: Ensure Meatballs are Uniform: Keeping the size of the meatballs consistent ensures even cooking.

Tip #2: Pre-Browning: Brown the meatballs in a skillet before baking for extra flavor.

Tip #3: Use a Meat Thermometer: To ensure the meatballs are cooked perfectly, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. It should reach 160°F (71°C) to be safe and fully cooked.

For serving, dish the saucy BBQ meatballs over a generous portion of creamy mashed potatoes. This family favorite is also great for a versatile meal alongside pasta, rice, or a meatball sub.

You can keep any leftover meatballs and sauce covered in your fridge for up to 3 days. Simply reheat them gently on the stovetop or in the oven until heated through. For extended storage, you can freeze the meatballs with the sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

If you enjoyed these saucy BBQ meatballs, I’d love to hear from you! Please take a moment to rate the recipe and share your thoughts in the comments below. Your feedback helps me create more delicious recipes and helps other readers.