Basic Meatballs

sweet and sour sauce

Meatballs are a staple in our kitchen. Whether served as a complement to roasted vegetables, atop spaghetti and mixed with marinara or stirred together with a sweet and sour sauce, they are a versatile and easy dinner, beloved by all. We have, over the years, tried many recipes: Swedish meatballs, slow cooker meatballs, Asian meatballs. But this basic recipe is the one that I come back to time after time.

Makes enough for 4; double the recipe to feed a crowd

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef, pork or turkey
  • 1/2 cup bread crumbs
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/2 tsp. fine sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
  • 1 small onion, finely diced (1/4 cup)
  • 1 egg

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 400°F.
  2. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients. Shape mixture into 20 to 24 (1-1/2 inch) meatballs. Place 1 inch apart in ungreased 13 x 9 inch pan.
  3. Bake uncovered 18 to 22 minutes or until meatballs are no longer pink in center.
  4. Serve with favorite sauce, alongside pasta or rice, or atop thick bread as a meatball sub.