Oven Baked BBQ Meatballs
I mentioned a few weeks ago that for the month of January I plan on having the theme of “Double Dinners” for all of my blog posts. To kick things off is this recipe for Oven Baked BBQ Meatballs.
I first learned about the term “Double Dinners” from an episode of The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond.
The idea behind “Double Dinners” is not anything new to my house. It has been something we have done for years.
“Double Dinners” is a concept of making one big dish. Freezing half of the meal to be used at a later (more hectic) time and baking the other for dinner tonight.
In essence making two dinners. One for now. One for later!
Make ahead freezer meals are a wonderful resource to have on hand.
We all have hectic lives that are busy and seem to be going every direction at the same time.
It is so easy to just answer the question, “What’s for Dinner?”, by swinging through a local fast food chain or having hot dogs with macaroni and cheese.
I’m not judging those options, because I have been there.
Don’t think I haven’t said yes to the super-sizing my order or dumping my favorite blue box of cheesy goodness into a pot of boiling water.
But having an arsenal of meals ready to go, just waiting in your freezer, is a wonderful option.
This recipe for Oven Baked BBQ Meatballs, is just the one to kick off your “Double Dinners” excursion.
Tender baked beef meatballs are coated in a thick and sweet homemade barbecue sauce.
As the sauce cooks, it thickens and is the perfect accompaniment to the meatballs.
Serve with mashed potatoes and mixed veggies for a complete and delicious meal for your family.
Oven Baked BBQ Meatballs
This easy recipe for Oven Baked BBQ Meatballs is the best freezer meal idea for double dinners or potlucks. Freezer meals make ahead recipes with list.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 2 cups Saltine Crackers, finely crushed about one sleeve of crackers
- 1 can (12 oz) Evaporated Milk
- 2 Eggs, slightly beaten
- 2 lbs Ground Beef
- 1/2 cup Onion, chopped
- 2 tsp Salt
- 2 tsp Chili Powder
- 1/2 tsp Pepper
BBQ Sauce
- 2 cups Ketchup
- 1 cup Brown Sugar
- 1/2 cup Onion, finely chopped
- 1 Tbsp Liquid Smoke, optional
Instructions
Meatballs
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In a large bowl, pour the evaporated milk and beaten eggs over the crushed crackers. Stir to combine.
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Add in ground beef, onion, salt, chili powder, and pepper. Mix to combine.
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Form the meat mixture into 1 1/2 to 2 inch balls.
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Place meatballs onto a large baking sheet. Bake meatballs at 375°F for 20-25 minutes until browned.
BBQ Sauce
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In a small saucepan; combine ketchup, brown sugar, chopped onion, and liquid smoke.
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Cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
To Prepare
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Divide the baked meatballs in half between two baking pans (I use 9×13 inch).
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Spoon the bbq sauce over the meatballs, dividing it between the two baking pans.
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Cover one of the baking pans with aluminum foil. Write the following instructions on the foil:
Oven Baked BBQ Meatballs
__/__/__ (Date)
*Thaw Overnight in the Fridge
*Bake uncovered at 350°F for 20-30 minutes
Place prepared baking pan in the freezer for a meal at a later time.
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With the second baking pan, place in a preheated oven set at 350°F. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until meatballs are heated and sauce is thick and bubbling.
Hi Chanda, Thank you for the recipe. I’m making it right now. I didn’t make the double recipe. But it is a great idea to make two pans of meatballs with one put in the freezer. I haven’t tasted it yet. But the bbq sauce does taste good. Have a good night!
Thanks for leaving a comment Debbie! I hope you love these BBQ meatballs as much as I do.
I have made these before and my family loves them . Thank you for sharing
Thank you Brenda for the review and I’m so glad your family loves them! Mine does too!
Made these last night, husband and kids adored them! I didn’t have evaporated milk, so I substituted buttermilk. I also added freshly minced garlic to the recipe, and used 1 lb ground pork and 2.5 lbs ground beef.
I started to leave out the chili powder because the kids don’t like hot spice that much, but in the end I added it. I didn’t use the amount provided in the recipe because I was using more meat (and don’t usually measure out spices anyway), but I noticed that the ratio of salt and chili powder is 1:1 in the recipe, so kept that in mind. Meatballs turned out perfectly seasoned, not too hot. And I used bottled BBQ instead of making my own. I’m sure they’d be even better w the homemade BBQ sauce, but as-made, everyone loved them. The flavor and texture is perfect. Thanks so much!
So glad that you and your family enjoyed this recipe!
My go-to meatballs for the last several years! I’m actually prepping to make them for a Super Bowl party tomorrow; friends always request them as does my fam. I’m a Missouri girl originally, so I usually add some KC bbq sauce of some kind, kosher salt, and just a little cinnamon to the recipe here for the sauce. So good and even better the next day! (PS I grew up on a cattle farm too, yay Midwestern farm girls 😬). Thanks again, love your recipes! ✨
I love this review, Jess! Midwestern farm girls unite 🙂 And eat delicious food. Haha!
I found this recipe on Tasty Kitchen and had to come to your blog to leave a comment. This recipe brought back a long lost memory of making meatloaf with my grandma. She too used saltine crackers and evaporated milk. I had totally forgotten about it. These were amazing meatballs! I didn’t have ketchup for the BBQ sauce so I whipped out my bottle of Sweet Baby Rays. I think the recipe is about the meatballs rather than the sauce…and the meatballs were amazing. Thanks for the recipe. Can’t wait to review your blog for more recipes.
Thanks Jenn for the review! I love that this recipe reminded you of Grandma and happy to have you along for the ride.