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best ever meatballs

(1 rating)
jessabessa22 avatar
Recipe by
Jessica Caruso
@jessabessa22
Charleston, SC

Easy prep meals like meatballs open up the creativity for me. While I love simple rustic meatballs, the addition of the hot honey, and quality of the spices just really takes them to another level! Plus, they’re the perfect 2 night meal, (or next day lunch!) due to their several options for eating.

(1 rating)
yield 6 serving(s)
prep time 10 Min
cook time 1 Hr 15 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For best ever meatballs

  • 2 lb
    80/20 ground beef
  • 1/2 c
    chopped/diced pepperoni
  • 2 lg
    eggs
  • 2 tsp
    olive oil, extra virgin
  • 1 Tbsp
    cracked black pepper
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp
    garlic powder
  • 3/4 Tbsp
    sea salt
  • 4 dash
    liquid smoke, natural hickory
  • 3/4 Tbsp
    rustic tuscan style seasoning
  • 1 Tbsp
    hot honey
  • 1/2 c
    parmesan cheese, grated
  • 3/4 c
    italian breadcrumbs
  • 1 Tbsp
    dried basil
  • FOR COOKING:
  • 2 Tbsp
    olive oil, extra virgin
  • 24 oz
    pasta sauce
  • parmesan cheese, grated

How To Make best ever meatballs

  • 1
    Preheat oven to 300*
  • 2
    Combine ingredients for meatballs in a large mixing bowl. Mix well, form into equal sized balls (to make 24!)
  • 3
    Heat olive oil in a high sided pan over medium heat.
  • 4
    Sear top and bottom of each meatball, without cooking through.
  • 5
    In a baking dish, spread a thin layer of pasta sauce on the bottom. Place each meatball on top, then top each ball with about a teaspoon of sauce. Place in oven. Repeat and rotate every 20 minutes for an hour.
  • 6
    Remove from oven and top with desired amount of cheese. Allow to melt for about 5 minutes.
  • 7
    Remove from oven and enjoy with crispy bread, pile on your favorite sub roll, or just eat with a fork!
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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