-
1
Preheat oven to 475 degrees F.
-
2
Combine all of the ingredients (except sauce) in a large mixing bowl and mix with your hands until ingredients are just evenly combined.
-
3
Take care not to over-mix.
-
4
Roll the meat into individual meatballs.
-
5
I typically use about 1/8 cup of the meatball mix for each meatball, but feel free to adjust meatball size to your preference.
-
6
Bake in a 475 degrees F oven for about 10 minutes on each side, which will brown the meat.
-
7
You will need less time if your meatballs are smaller than 1/8 cup or more time if your meatballs are larger.
-
8
I prefer to use a cast iron pan for this step, but if you dont have one, a baking sheet also works well.
-
9
Transfer meatballs to the stovetop.
-
10
If you used a cast iron pan you can continue to cook in the same pan.
-
11
Transfer meatballs to a pot if you used a cookie sheet.
-
12
Gently simmer in your favorite fresh or store bought tomato sauce for at least 20 minutes, but for as long as 2 hours for a more tender meatball.
-
13
Note: To freeze and cook in a crockpot, after baking the meatballs in the oven, completely cool and then place them in a freezer-safe container or bag (note that they are not completely cooked in the center, so no snacking).
-
14
On the morning you plan to eat the meatballs, place them (while still frozen) in a crockpot with tomato sauce and cook all day on the low setting.
