Sweet And Saucy Meatballs
Sweet and saucy meatballs with a rich tomato and mushroom glaze, perfect for family dinners or entertaining, offering savory flavors with a hint of sweetness and tang.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix ground beef or deer, bread crumbs, chopped onion, egg, garlic salt, and parsley thoroughly.
- Shape the mixture into small meatballs.
- Brown the meatballs in a skillet with shortening until evenly cooked and browned.
- Pour off any excess fat from the skillet.
- In a separate bowl, mix mushroom soup, tomato soup, vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, and pepper.
- Pour the sauce over the browned meatballs.
- Cover and simmer over low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey for beef or deer. You can use oats instead of bread crumbs for a gluten-free option. If you prefer a spicier kick, consider adding a dash of hot sauce to the sauce mixture. For a richer flavor, sauté the onions before mixing them in. This dish pairs beautifully with Porcupines In Tomato Sauce for a hearty meal.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these meatballs over a bed of rice or mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious sauce. They also pair well with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad. For a fun appetizer, skewer the meatballs on toothpicks and serve with a dipping sauce. Browse more American recipes to find complementary dishes for your meal.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm them on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to keep them moist. Alternatively, you can microwave them in a covered dish, checking every 30 seconds until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Sweet And Saucy Meatballs contains roughly 857 calories, with 19g protein, 143g carbohydrates, and 25g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (46% of the Daily Value), protein (37% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (32% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1975mg per serving (86% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen meatballs instead of making them from scratch?
Yes, you can use frozen meatballs! Just brown them in the skillet as you would with homemade ones, then follow the recipe's instructions for the sauce. This will save time while still delivering a flavorful dish.
What can I substitute for mushroom soup?
If you don't have mushroom soup on hand, you can use cream of chicken or vegetable soup as a substitute. This will give a different but still delicious flavor to the sauce. You can also create a homemade version using sautéed mushrooms and cream.
How can I make this dish less sweet?
To balance the sweetness, you can reduce the amount of brown sugar and add a bit more vinegar or soy sauce to enhance the savory flavors. Taste as you go to achieve your desired balance.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).