Meatloaf meatballs on top of sweet potato mash with a side of steamed broccoli plated.

Meatloaf Meatballs – Quick & Easy

In Mains by sarawalkenbach4 Comments

Who has time to wait around for a whole loaf of meat to bake for an hour? Not me! These easy Meatloaf Meatballs come together in just 30 minutes. The best part? Every single meatball gets coated in that rich, caramelized sauce, not just the ends like a typical loaf.

Why I Love This Recipe

Growing up, meatloaf was not my favorite. I think it was the word “loaf” that turned me off. Also, I didn’t like a big slice of meat on my plate. In my 20s, I embraced the loaf and haven’t looked back. The sweet and savory caramelized sauce is a win for me.

Bowl of Meatloaf Meatballs.
This recipe uses heart healthy oats instead of crackers.

Here are the top reasons why I love this recipe:

  • Ready in 30 minutes.
  • My kids love it.
  • This is a big batch, freeze half for an even easier meal later.

Looking for another quick meal? Try my Chicken Artichoke Bake that’s ready in 35 minutes.

Meatloaf Meatballs Ingredients

This meatball recipe is a double batch for my family. Save yourself: cook once, and freeze half for later. Or for a family of 2, half the recipe.

Ingredients needed for these meatballs are ground meat (beef, pork, or turkey), oats, ketchup, onion, eggs, spices, garlic, and Worcestershire.
These Meatloaf Meatballs uses pantry staples and is ready in 25 minutes.

Ground Beef & Pork

I like the combo of both ground beef and pork. Plus, pork is less expensive than beef, which helps the budget. But this recipe can be made with all beef, all pork, or a combo with ground turkey too.

Oats & Eggs

Crackers or breadcrumbs are typically added to meatloaf to stretch the meat. In this recipe we are using heart healthy oats, a good source of carbs and fiber. Furthermore, using oats makes this recipe gluten free.

To keep your meatballs moist (sorry to those who hate that word), you must add egg to the oats. This helps soften the oats and keeps the meatballs from drying out.

If you think the kids (or picky eaters) will balk at the oats in meatballs, grind them up in a food processer or coffee grinder. Or use crushed crackers or al dente rice.

Clean up those oats with this tasty recipe: Double Chocolate Cherry Energy Balls.

Sauces

These sauces add some acidity. The best thing about meatloaf is you can throw just about anything in there. Here’s what you’ll need:

  1. Worcestershire sauce
  2. Ketchup, BBQ sauce, mustard, Frank’s hot sauce or tomato sauce

Additional sauces are needed for the tangy sauce on top. This recipe uses ketchup, mustard and honey.

The meatloaf glaze is a simple combination of ketchup, mustard, and honey.
Much like the meatballs, this glaze can be a combination of your favorite sauces. My kids are ketchup fiends, but BBQ sauce or hot sauce would also be good mixed with honey in this glaze.

Aromatics & Spices

Onions: I learned this trick from my sister: sauté the onions before putting them in the mix. This makes so much sense. I’m not a huge fan of a plethora of raw onions, neither are my kids. This really mellows them out, so everyone is happy.

Garlic: While you’re sautéing the onions, throw in some minced garlic in the last 30 seconds.

Spices: Pick your favorites and toss them in. I tend to lean towards these in my meatloaf:

  • Paprika
  • Cumin
  • Parsley
  • Salt & Pepper

If you don’t have the ones above, just throw in your favorites on hand.

How to Make

These balls come together quickly. I like to get everything ready so I’m not washing my hands every other step.

  1. Spray cooking sheet and set aside. Turn on oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Whisk eggs, sauces, and seasoning together. Stir in oats, onion and garlic.
  3. Using your hands, combine ground meat with the oat mixture. Roll into balls, slightly bigger than a golf ball, and place on baking sheet.
  4. Whisk together the additional ketchup, mustard, and honey. Brush or spoon some mixture on each meatball making sure to get all sides.
  5. Bake meatballs for 12 minutes at 375 degrees. Switch oven to broil. Broil until sauce has slightly caramelized and meatballs temp at 160 degrees (165 degrees, if using turkey).

If you have leftovers and need more sauce, just make another batch. Heat the meatballs and sauce up together on your stove top.

To make this even easier, portion out 6 mini meatloaves on your baking sheet. It will save you from rolling out all the meatballs, but it will take longer to cook. Make sure they temp at 160 degrees (165 if using turkey).

What to Serve With

Meatloaf and mashed potatoes go together like Snoopy and Woodstock. The creamy savory potato and slightly sweet sauce on the meatloaf are a match made in heaven. However, there are lots of options to pair with these meatloaf meatballs.

Meatloaf meatballs plated with mashed sweet potatoes, and broccoli.
This makes a big batch. Freeze leftovers for a meal down the road.
thyme branch

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Meatloaf meatballs on top of sweet potato mash with a side of steamed broccoli plated.

Quick and Easy Meatloaf Meatballs

Sara Walkenbach
Meatloaf made easy with these meatballs. Brush each meatball with the tangy sweet sauce and make a side of mashed potatoes. These Meatloaf Meatballs will be ready in 30 minutes.
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 342 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs Ground Beef, Pork, or Turkey or a combo
  • 1 cup Oats quick or old fashion
  • 2 large Eggs
  • 1/2 – 1 cup Onion diced
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1/3 cup Ketchup, BBQ Sauce, Mustard or Tomato Sauce
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 tsp Cumin
  • 2 tsp Parsely dried
  • 1 tsp Paprika
  • 3/4 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Pepper

Sauce for Meatballs

  • 3 tbsp Ketchup or BBQ Sauce
  • 2 tbsp Mustard
  • 2 tbsp Honey

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375 ℉. Spray baking sheet with pan spray and set aside. In medium sauce pan, sauté onions until translucent, add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Remove from heat.
  • While onions are cooking make sauce. Whisk together 3 tbsp. ketchup, 2 tbsp. mustard, 2 tbsp. honey. Set aside.
  • In large bowl whisk 2 eggs, 1/3 c. ketchup, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, and spices (2 tsp parsley, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp paprika, 3/4 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper). Add onion and garlic mixture and 1 cup oats, stir.
  • Add ground meat to egg mixture. Using hands work together until combined.
  • Roll into balls slightly bigger than a golf ball. Place on baking sheet. Brush each meatball with sauce. Bake for 12 minutes. Switch oven to broil. Broil for 2-3 minutes until sauce is caramelized and meatballs temp at 160℉. (If using turkey, temp at 165℉).
  • Serve with mashed potatoes and enjoy!

Video

Notes

*This recipe is a big batch for a family of 4. Make batch and freeze leftovers for a meal in a few weeks. Set frozen meatballs the night before in refrigerator to thaw. Make another batch of sauce for meatballs. To heat up, use microwave, or low broil.
*I like to use a combo of beef and pork or beef and turkey.
*The egg mixture can be made ahead to save time.

Nutrition

Serving: 3meatballsCalories: 342kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 25gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 124mgSodium: 523mgPotassium: 483mgFiber: 1gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 175IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 43mgIron: 3mg
Keyword 30-minute meals, dinner in 30 minutes, Meatloaf, Meatloaf Meatballs, quick and easy meals, sweet and tangy
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Comments

5 from 2 votes

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