This recipe for meatloaf meatballs with pan sauce is one of my favorites for a family dinner everyone loves!. It is quite simply a recipe for really good meatballs in a really good sauce.
A friend asked me why I bother making this into meatballs when it could just be a meatloaf. Well, kids are funny in the way they eat. The kids will 100% eat these as meatballs, but not as meatloaf. Plus, these meatloaf meatballs are way better than a traditional meatloaf.
What ingredients do you need for meatloaf meatballs with pan sauce?
For the Meatballs
- Egg
- Soy sauce
- Garlic cloves, minced
- Meatloaf mix – combination of ground beef and pork (called ground beef and pork blend)
- Breadcrumbs
For the sauce
- Ketchup
- Water
- Brown sugar
- Soy sauce
- Sambal Oelek-chili sauce
- Red wine vinegar
For serving:
- Rice (you could also serve over potato or pasta – your starch of choice!)
- Broccoli (any vegetable!)
I have been making this recipe for years. In the past 2 months, I think I’ve made it six times! Everyone who’s had it enjoys it and meatballs make such a great food to have at parties or gatherings.
If you’re looking for a few other great meatball recipes, you can check them out here:
- Shrimp meatballs with garlic aioli
- Turkey meatballs in a slow cooker
- Vegan vegetarian meatballs
- Back of the bottle party meatballs
How to cook meatloaf meatballs?
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees
- Combine all meatball ingredients in large mixing bowl.
- Use a 1.5 – 2 Tbs. scoop to form meatballs.
- Line a baking sheet with foil. Spray with cooking spray. Spread meatballs on baking sheet.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes.
So now you know how to make the meatballs, how do you make this delicious pan sauce?!
- In a large skillet, whisk together all sauce ingredients.
- Warm for 2 minutes (or as soon as it starts boiling).
- Place meatballs in sauce and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the sauce is slightly thickened and the meatballs are nicely coated.
If you need dinner on the table even more quickly, you could also buy meatballs from the store and cook them in the sauce. The sauce is really what makes this recipe special and is my favorite part!
So, use any meatballs you’d like to soak up this amazing sauce. These are some great frozen meatballs we use in a pinch.
When the meatballs are done, you can serve with your favorite starch and vegetable. I like to serve these meatballs with rice and green beans. But rice or potatoes and broccoli would be just as great!
Once you’ve made this meatloaf meatballs with pan sauce recipe, I know you’ll be making it on repeat. If you ever find yourself with leftovers, I love using them to make a meatball sub. Great for a warm lunch!
Meatloaf Meatballs with Pan Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
For the meatballs
- 1 egg
- 1 Tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 lbs. meatloaf mix this is a combination of ground beef and pork
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large pinch salt
For the sauce
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 Tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon Sambal Oelek - chili sauce
- 1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar
For serving
- rice and broccoli
Instructions
To make meatballs
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees
- Combine all meatball ingredients in large mixing bowl. Use 1.5 - 2 Tbs. scoop to roll into meatballs.
- Line baking sheet with tin foil. Spray with cooking spray. Spread meatballs on pan.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes.
To make pan sauce
- In a large skillet, whisk together all sauce ingredients.
- Warm for 2 minutes (or as soon as it starts boiling).
- Place meatballs in sauce and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the sauce is slightly thickened and the meatballs are nicely coated.
KristyB says
I prefer baking meatballs, too – it’s more “hands-off”! Anything I can do to limit time standing at the stove 🙂
Sweetphi says
Oh absolutely! Less time standing at a stove is always better 🙂
Wendy Burrow says
Making meatballs on a baking sheet in the oven is the best way!!! I learned that from you. I’ve even made turkey ones that way, with different flavor variations like fresh ginger. SO GOOD.
Sweetphi says
I’m so happy to hear that Wendy – thank you! And yum, I love the ginger variation!
Monica says
I make my meatballs in the oven, and then toss them in a homemade sauce. I serve it with either pasta or gnocchi. I’m going to try your recipe, and just swap out for GF breadcrumbs and GF soy sauce. It sounds like a great recipe.
Sweetphi says
Thanks Monica – I hope you like it!
jude says
i have been making my small meatballs kinda crispy broiled in the oven since 1979!!!! then tossing them into a pot of sauce on the stove to simmer. my original recipe was from craig claiborne’s new york times cookbook. this past year i stumbled upon deb perelman’s quick stovetop recipe and it’s a real game changer. one pot. very quick. make a quick marinara sauce first and then add the meatballs. my family loves them. they are delish and FAST!
Sweetphi says
This does sound delicious – thanks so much for sharing! Recipes that stand the test of the time are the best.
Susan Craig says
This is a great recipe. For my daughter, I halve the sugar and add a bunch of hot sauce. She likes it served with quinoa, or over zoodles. I want to try your vegetarian meatballs next.
Sweetphi says
Oh adding hot sauce sounds like a fun way to enjoy this too! Thanks for commenting Susan
Kim Henrichs says
I love a baked buffalo chicken meatball!
Sweetphi says
Oooh, now that sounds absolutely amazing!!! Need to try!
Lisa Jean says
I use both methods, but when making a big batch I bake them in the oven. Use some and freeze some. Also bake them when I make one of favorites. Swedish meatballs
Sweetphi says
I used to make Swedish meatballs with my mom, now I’m totally craving them and am going to have to ask her for the recipe!!
Barbara says
My youngest son is 36 years old, and I still use a recipe for baked meatballs that I received when he and I went to a kids cooking class at WCTC, our local technical college. I had never done baked meatballs before, but since then, would never do them any other way. The recipe is delicious and brings back wonderful memories every time I make it!
Sweetphi says
Aw, thank you so much for sharing that story. It makes me look forward to cooking classes with the kids when they’re a little older 🙂
Kim says
in the oven, so hands off, and I love a good stroganoff meatball meal. I also have a great recipe from a friend that is a dill sauce so good.
Sweetphi says
Oh yum, ok that sounds absolutely amazing (I love anything dill!!) If you’d ever like to share the recipe, I’d love to try it!
Cheri says
We use ground lamb and beef, onion, oregano, lemon juice, tomato paste a LITTLE cinnamon – not a real fan of it in meatballs but trying to hold true to family recipe. Some fresh parsley and some grated cheese. I form and bake the freeze. Drizzle with Avgolemono sauce when heating and ready to serve
Cheri says
We always bake our Greek meatballs. That keeps them from drying out. Once cool I freeze them so we can take out as many as we need. We use them in multiple recipes where they simmer in the sauce to marinate.
Sweetphi says
Oh yum, that sounds amazing. What do you put in your Greek meatballs?
Denise L says
If I am in a hurry, I will bake the meatballs in the oven – so easy. But I prefer the stovetop in a pan because i can control browning the meatballs better. I like them a bit crispy on the outside for certain recipes.
Sweetphi says
I couldn’t agree more. I love them in a pan too (but lately mine have been sticking to the pan and then falling apart when I try to make them stovetop…think it might be time for a new pan lol!!) What kind of pan are you using?
Donna Luke-Peterson says
I have to be honest and say that I like Costco’s frozen meatballs, or Target’s frozen Good & Gather meatballs for recipes, like pasta, adding to soups, or in meatball sandwiches, or eating it stroganoff style. With that said, your meatloaf meatballs sound delicious and I do want to try that recipe!
Sweetphi says
I too love frozen meatballs when I’m in a time crunch. I’ve used frozen meatballs with this pan sauce before and they’re so good too! I also take frozen meatballs and put them in a slow cooker with 2 cans of diced tomatoes for 8 hrs on low, and it’s just such a good easy dinner to come home to!
Rebecca says
I like making meatballs in the oven, as well. You can EASILY double or triple the recipe, to have on hand for super easy recipes. You’re already making meatballs. So… In for e penny, in for a pound. 😁
Sweetphi says
I love that “in for a penny in for a pound” lol, so so true when making meatballs! I love baking them too (I also freeze some if there’s leftovers!)
Rebecca says
YES, SAME!!! Then you have them on hand for when the kids are, “mom, what’s for dinner?” My answer, “meatballs!” Smiles all around! 😁
Sweetphi says
Aw I love this so much, I’m going to think about this now whenever the kids ask what’s for dinner 🙂
Mary W says
I usually cook meatballs in a cast iron pan on my induction cooktop. In the Deep South where it is already hitting the high 80’s, I prefer not using the oven because it heats up the kitchen too much. We’re already running the air conditioner down here! It is way too early in the year for that!
Sweetphi says
I totally hear what you’re saying about not wanting to turn on the oven in the heat, in the summer I make mine in a slow cooker so I don’t have to turn on the oven. I had no idea it was so hot down there already (I say this as I look out over a snow covered window!) 🙂
Amy Cooley says
I just made a new recipe for Coconut Curry Meatballs and they were delicious! I browned them on the stove top and finished them off in the oven with the sauce. I think that’s the perfect way to make meatballs.
Sweetphi says
That sounds so yummy-I’ve only once had curry meatballs and now I’m so curious I want try that flavor combo, and what a great way to make them, thank you for sharing!