Basic Meatballs

Basic Meatballs are a versatile and delicious addition to various recipes. Whether you’re using them in slow cooker dishes or other recipes that call for meatballs, this simple and flavorful recipe will become a go-to in your kitchen. Made with extra-lean ground beef and a combination of pantry staples, these meatballs offer a satisfying texture and savory taste. By preparing a large batch and freezing them, you can conveniently have meatballs on hand whenever you need them.

INGREDIENTS

• 3 pounds (1 1/3 kg) extra-lean ground beef
• 5 ounces (150 ml) fat-free evaporated milk
• 1 cup (80 g) rolled or quick-cooking oats
• 1 cup (100 g) cracker crumbs
• ½ cup (120 ml) egg substitute
• ½ cup (80 g) chopped onion
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

PREPARATION

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the extra-lean ground beef, fat-free evaporated milk, rolled oats, cracker crumbs, egg substitute, chopped onion, garlic powder, and black pepper.
2. Mix all the ingredients together until well combined. It’s best to use your hands for this step to ensure even distribution of ingredients.
3. Shape the mixture into walnut-sized meatballs and place them on waxed paper-lined cookie sheets.
4. Freeze the meatballs on the cookie sheets until they are fully frozen.
5. Transfer the frozen meatballs into a resealable plastic bag and store them in the freezer until needed.
6. When ready to use, place the desired amount of frozen meatballs in the slow cooker.
7. Cover the slow cooker and cook on high as you prepare the accompanying sauce or dish.

YIELD

• 12 servings

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION PER SERVING

• 96 g water
• 322 calories (58% from fat, 31% from protein, 11% from carbs)
• 25 g protein
• 20 g total fat
• 8 g saturated fat
• 9 g monounsaturated fat
• 1 g polyunsaturated fat
• 9 g carbs
• 1 g fiber
• 2 g sugar
• 213 mg phosphorus
• 66 mg calcium
• 3 mg iron
• 107 mg sodium
• 426 mg potassium
• 85 IU vitamin A
• 14 mg ATE vitamin E
• 1 mg vitamin C
• 79 mg cholesterol

Basic Meatballs are a versatile and freezer-friendly option that can be used in a variety of recipes. Made with extra-lean ground beef and a combination of other ingredients, these meatballs are both delicious and satisfying. The recipe is easy to prepare, and by making a large batch and freezing them, you can have meatballs ready to use whenever you want.

Using extra-lean ground beef ensures that the meatballs are lean and lower in fat compared to traditional meatballs. The addition of fat-free evaporated milk, oats, cracker crumbs, egg substitute, chopped onion, garlic powder, and black pepper provides moisture, flavor, and texture to the meatballs. The combination of these ingredients creates a well-balanced and savory taste that complements various sauces and dishes.

The convenience of freezing the meatballs allows for easy meal planning. By shaping the meat mixture into walnut-sized balls and freezing them on cookie sheets, you can prevent them from sticking together. This method also allows you to portion out the desired amount of meatballs for each meal. Once frozen, transfer them to a resealable plastic bag for easy storage in the freezer. Having a supply of frozen meatballs on hand gives you the flexibility to use them in slow cooker recipes, pasta dishes, soups, or even as appetizers.

When you’re ready to use the frozen meatballs, simply place them in the slow cooker and cook them on high. This allows the meatballs to slowly thaw and cook in the flavorful sauce or accompanying ingredients. The result is tender and juicy meatballs that are infused with the flavors of the dish they’re cooked in. Whether you’re preparing a hearty spaghetti and meatballs dinner or creating a delicious meatball sub, these Basic Meatballs will be a crowd-pleaser.

In conclusion, Basic Meatballs are a versatile and convenient addition to any recipe that calls for meatballs. With their simple preparation and freezer-friendly nature, they can be readily available whenever you need them. By following this recipe and freezing the meatballs, you can enjoy the convenience of having a delicious and wholesome ingredient on hand for quick and easy meals. Make a batch of these Basic Meatballs, freeze them, and unlock a world of flavorful possibilities in your kitchen.