Smoked Meat Balls (BBQ and Marinara)
These smoked meatballs take regular meatballs to the next level. Not only are the meatballs bursting with flavor but, they all are stuffed with cheese! Whether you enjoy your meatballs simmered in a delicious marinara sauce or glazed with a sweet and tangy bbq sauce. These smoked meatballs will definitely be a crowd pleaser at your next party.
Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground mild sausage (I used Jimmy Dean brand)
1 cup plain bread crumbs
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 eggs beaten
1/2 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon of worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 cup diced onion (sauted)
2 cloves minced garlic (sauted)
1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions For Smoking Meatballs
Preheat smoker to 225 degrees
Add olive oil to a small pan and set heat to medium
Add onions and garlic to pan and saute until garlic and onions are soft (about 3-5 minutes)
In a large bowl combine all of the ingredients including the onions and garlic
Mix with your hands until well combined
Cover the large bowl with plastic rap and put in the refrigerator for 1 hour
Using your hands shape the meat into balls a little larger than a golf ball
*Optional you can place a small cube of your favorite melty cheese into the center
Spray a wire rack with nonstick spray (Pam)
Place the balls onto the rack
Put bbq thermometer into the center of one of the meat balls
Place the rack into your smoker
Smoke until the internal temp of the meatballs reach 165 (around 2 hours)
Place meatballs in an aluminum pan with either bbq glaze or marinara sauce for 10 more minutes
ENJOY!
Instructions for Baking Meatballs
Preheat oven to 425
Add olive oil to a small pan and set heat to medium
Add onions and garlic to pan and sauté until garlic and onions are soft (about 3-5 minutes)
In a large bowl combine all of the ingredients including the onions and garlic
Mix with your hands until well combined
Cover the large bowl with plastic rap and put in the refrigerator for 1 hour
Using your hands shape the meat into balls a little larger than a golf ball
*Optional you can place a small cube of your favorite melty cheese into the center
Spray a wire rack with nonstick spray (Pam) and place rack on top of a cooking sheet
Place the balls onto the rack
Place into the oven
Bake the meatballs for 20 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees
Place meatballs in an aluminum pan with either BBQ glaze or marinara sauce and bake in oven for 2 more minutes
Enjoy!
Marinara Sauce Recipe
2 (14.5 oz) cans of stewed tomatoes
1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh chopped basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon fresh basil
1 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons olive oil
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/2 white wine
Instructions:
In a large skillet over medium heat sauté onions in olive oil (for 2 minutes)
Add the rest of the ingredients and blend with an immersion blender until to the thickness of your preference
Simmer for 30 minutes and stir occasionally
BBQ Glaze Recipe:
2 cups BBQ sauce (Sweet Baby Rays)
1 tablespoon hot sauce (I used franklins)
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup apple juice
2 tablespoons apple jelly
1 tablespoon honey
Combine ingredients into a sauce pan and simmer for 15 minutes. Whisking occasionally