Large Batch Baked Meatballs Recipes

BIG-BATCH MEATBALLS AND RED SAUCE

Steps:

• For the sauce: Swirl the oil and garlic in a medium saucepan over medium heat until the garlic is just lightly browned and fragrant, about 4 minutes. Add the tomatoes and 1 cup water, and bring to a high simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low, add the basil and 2 teaspoons salt and simmer, uncovered, until thickened, 20 to 25 minutes. Set aside and keep warm.
• For the meatballs: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Tear the bread into very small pieces and put it in a small bowl. Pour the milk over the bread, and let sit until the bread is soft, about 5 minutes.
• Combine the bread mixture with the beef, pork, Parmesan, eggs, onions, parsley, garlic, 2 teaspoons salt and red pepper flakes in a large bowl, and thoroughly mix with your hands. Divide the mixture evenly into 36 mounds, and roll each into a ball.
• Brush 2 rimmed baking sheets generously with oil. Evenly divide the meatballs between the sheets, and roll them around to coat in oil. Bake until golden brown and cooked through, rotating the sheets halfway through if needed, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Transfer the meatballs to the warm sauce, and cook for 5 minutes over medium-low heat. Let the meatballs and sauce cool completely, divide evenly among four 1-quart containers and freeze for up to 1 month.
• To reheat: Let a container of the meatballs and sauce thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Transfer them to a microwave-safe container, and microwave in 2-minute increments, gently stirring after each, until the meatballs are heated through.

MAKE-AHEAD MEATBALLS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into 1-in. balls, about 12 dozen. , Place meatballs on greased racks in shallow baking pans. Bake at 400° for 10-15 minutes or until no longer pink, turning often; drain. Cool. , Freeze option: Freeze cooled meatballs in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Reheat on a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan in a preheated 350° oven until heated through.,

LARGE BATCH BAKED MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Combine bread and milk in a small bowl; let soak for 10 minutes. Squeeze bread to release milk; discard milk.
• Combine rest of ingredients, shaping into small balls and placing on roasting tray sprayed with Pam.
• Bake in 350 oven for 20 - 30 minutes, depending on size of meatball. Remove from oven and tilt tray to drain fat. Let meatballs cool before packaging.
• Freeze up to one month.
• Note: I have used whole wheat and flax seed bread with good results.

BAKED MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Pour olive oil on a paper towel and rub over a baking sheet with raised sides.
• Toss milk and bread in a LARGE bowl.
• Add the pressed garlic, grated onion and stir well.
• Add the cheese, parsley, red pepper flakes, allspice, salt and pepper.
• Beat the eggs, add to the bread mixture and stir until all ingredients are well incorporated.
• Add the ground beef and mix very gently with your finger tips, just until all ingredients are blended (over handling the meat will make the meatballs tough), just toss, turn and fluff it.
• Gently roll the meat mixture into 2 inch balls.
• Place the meatballs on the prepared roasting pan, making sure they are well spaced and refrigerate for one hour to let the flavors meld.
• Pre-heat the oven to 400.
• Bake the meatballs for 17 minutes.
• To freeze the cooked meatballs: Place them on a baking sheet, making sure they are not touching each other and place in the freezer for two hours. Place frozen meatballs in a freezer safe bag and back into the freezer.
• Enjoy!