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Meatloaf Meatballs are bite sized appetizers that have all the flavor you love in a classic meatloaf recipe smothered in a tasty sauce!
Our family loves meatballs and they make such a great party appetizer. Everyone loves meatloaf. It’s a favorite dinner recipe across many American homes. That’s why I wanted to transform my super delicious old fashioned meatloaf recipe and my mini meatloaf recipe into bite sized appetizer portions! Why should meatloaf only be enjoyed at dinner? It should most definitely be a party appetizer too.
Why this recipe works:
In addition to wanting an appetizer that I knew everyone would love, I had one more motivation for turning my classic meatloaf recipe into a bite sized tasty treat. The sauce.
I can never seem to get enough sauce with my meatloaf and I always want an end piece because the outside is more crispy.
The meatball tackles both those issues! They’re so good, in fact, that next time I plan to make meatloaf for dinner, I’ll be making these meatballs instead!
How to make them:
- One of the reasons these meatloaf meatballs taste so good is because the first step is to saute up some diced onions. Raw onions pack too much of a punch but you still want the flavor, so sauteeing them is the answer! Once those cool you mix them together with the rest of the ingredients.
- To bake the meatballs, you’ll want to line a baking dish with parchment paper. It makes for easy clean up and prevents sticking.
- I actually like to use a cookie dough scoop to measure my meatballs before I roll them. That way they all stay the same consistent size. Do your best to roll a nice round shape without overworking the meat. Then, just pop them into the oven!
- When the plain meatballs are cooking, you’ll want to mix up the sauce. This takes like two minutes, so don’t stress.
- Now here’s the secret to a tasty sticky coating. About two thirds of the way through the cooking process, you’ll take the meatballs out of the oven and coat them in the sauce. Then, back into the oven they go! This makes the sauce set and really stick to the meatballs.
Make ahead directions:
Can you make this recipe ahead of time? Yes!
I prefer how they look set out on a platter with toothpicks for easy eating, but we all know that sometimes party food just needs to be easy.
To make these meatloaf meatballs ahead of time, just follow all the cooking instructions and then keep them warm in a slow cooker.
Trust me. Next time you go to a potluck, bring a batch (or two or three) of these meatloaf meatballs and watch them disappear. The only competition they might have would be against the classic deviled eggs!
Related recipes:
Love meatballs? Then you’ll have to try these recipes:
- Swedish Meatball Pasta
- Perfect Swedish Meatballs
- Easy Teriyaki Meatballs
- Mushroom Blend Meatball Sliders
- Pressure Cooker Cocktail Meatballs
- Meatball Parmesan
- Double Cheesy Stuffed Meatball Sliders
- Green Chile Cheddar Meatballs
- Basil Meatballs
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Ingredients
meatloaf:
- 1 small yellow onion minced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 1/3 pound ground beef
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
topping:
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
Instructions
- Preheat oven or grill to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy clean up.
- Melt 1 tablespoon butter in saute pan over medium heat. Cook 1 small yellow onion until fragrant and slightly brown while stirring occasionally, about 3-5 minutes. Reduce heat to low and add 2 cloves garlic, cook for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- In large bowl, combine 1 1/3 pound ground beef, 1 large egg, 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs, 1/2 cup milk, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, and cooked onions and garlic. Use hands to mix well, but try not to over work the meat. Shape into 1-2 inch sized meatballs on parchment lined baking sheet.
- Bake uncovered in the preheated oven 20 minutes. While meatballs are cooking, combine 1/2 cup ketchup with 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard and 1 tablespoon brown sugar in a bowl. Set aside.
- After 20 minutes of cooking, insert toothpick into each meatball, dip into ketchup mixture, return to baking sheet, and continue baking for about 10 additional minutes to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). Serve warm with toothpicks for easy eating. Can be kept warm in slow cooker, if needed.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I’m planning a shower with several dishes an hour and a half away so on-site work needs to be minimal. What is the best way to travel with these? I can pre-make the ground beef and scoop it on to baking sheets, cover it with saran / tinfoil, and refrigerate it and travel with it in a cooler. (Also make the ketchup mix in a tupperware and that goes in the cooler as well). Then I just bake, dip, and bake once I’m there. Do you think the meatballs would dry out if I did that? I can also make them here cooking for 30 minutes, then warm up with ketchup and the toothpicks in the oven there. Thank you!
Hi Tiffany, I think the easiest option for you would be to pre-bake the meatballs and then reheat when you get to the party and bring the sauce along. I don’t think they would dry out that way and the sauce will fix everything! That will minimize your mess at the party too. Enjoy! Krissy
You cook the meatballs for 40 minutes, then sauce them, and then put them back into the oven for 30-35 minutes? I think you have a typo up there. Making these tonight, I can’t wait 😁
Oh my gosh! I can’t thank you enough for pointing that out to me. Ugh. I was using my original meatloaf recipe as a base and those cook times were carried over. I can’t believe I did that! Recipe has been updated . -Krissy
can I cook these in an air fryer
I don’t have one (yet), but from what I understand they would turn out really well!
Wanted to add that I would think the meatballs would cook well in an airfryer but not once the sauce is added.
I’m a big fan of the crispy edges of meatloaf too, so this is a genius way to have lots of the edges! These meatballs disappear off our dinner table in a hurry!
Wow this is good! Everyone was raving!
My kids will LOVE this! Meatballs are always a hit at our house.
These look pretty darn amazing!
So good! These were a huge hit at the baby shower I hosted last week!
These look delicious! I can’t wait to make them for my next cookout!
What is spicey brown mustad ive never heard of it in AUSTRALIA
You can use any kind of mustard, but the closest thing to spicy brown mustard would probably be a whole grain mustard.