Baked Meatballs in Oven, also known as BBQ and Grape Jelly Meatballs or Baby Shower Meatballs, are a simple and easy appetizer that everyone loves.
Today, we’re diving into a delicious, easy recipe that’s perfect for a family dinner or your next party: Baked Meatballs in the Oven. They’re juicy, tasty, and so simple to make. Traditionally, meatballs are cooked on the stovetop in a pan with some olive oil.
Today, we’re going to let the oven do the work for us! These oven-baked meatballs are a super easy way to get a hearty meal with minimal effort. Let’s roll up our sleeves and get into the kitchen fun!
I hope you love this recipe for Baked Meatballs in the Oven as much as I do. Meatballs are a classic in my house. I grew up on them and have carried on that tradition with my own family.
The combination of sweet grape jelly and tangy barbecue sauce makes these meatballs a real crowd-pleaser. Please enjoy and save this recipe card for later. Be sure to let me know it goes! Happy cooking!
Common Questions About Baked Meatballs in Oven
What are Baked Meatballs?
These are tasty little balls of meat that are baked in the oven, not fried. They’re usually made with ground beef, turkey, or chicken. Our recipe uses Italian meatballs, but you can choose what you like.
How Do You Serve Meatballs?
You can serve them in many different ways. Put them on sub rolls for meatball subs, pour spaghetti sauce over them, or just have them with a side of garlic bread. They’re great on their own too!
Can You Freeze The Meatballs?
Yes, you can! After they cool, put these easy baked meatballs in an airtight container and pop them into the freezer. It’s a great way to They can be stored for up to three months.
Storage
You know I like to keep things simple. Well, these are the best meatballs for the job. They’re a great idea for those busy weeknights when you need to save some time!
- Refrigerator: Store the leftover meatballs in an airtight container. They will stay good for 3-4 days.
- Freezer: If you want to save them for later, place them in a freezer-safe airtight container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Next time your family wants meatballs, just thaw, heat up and serve!
Tips
It doesn’t take much effort to bake meatballs! The grape jelly and barbecue sauce ensure that these guys stay nice and juicy. You’re going to love it!
- Taste test: Once you’ve combined the barbecue sauce and grape jelly, give it a try. You can decide if it’s ready or if you need to add more of either!
- Don’t overcook: Over cooking meatballs will dry them out. Nobody wants a dried out meatball!
- Use an instant-read thermometer: This will help you ensure that the internal temperature of the meatballs is safe for eating.
Ingredients
Using store bought meatballs makes sure you have really basic ingredients here. If you want to make your own homemade meatballs, go right ahead!
- Italian meatballs
- Grape jelly
- Barbeque sauce
How to Make Baked Meatballs in Oven
This is really the best way to feed a crowd with minimal effort. These flavorful meatballs will be so good, no one will know you got them from the grocery store!
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Place the meatballs in a single layer in the baking dish.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes.
- Combine the grape jelly and barbeque sauce together in a saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Once the grape jelly has fully melted (no clumps remain), remove the meatballs from the oven. Pour the sauce over the meatballs, stirring to coat.
- Return the baking dish to the oven and increase the heat to 425. Bake for another 5-7 mins for the sauce to thicken before removing and serving.
Notes:
These can be made in a crock pot (on high for 2 hours). You will still need to melt the jelly and bbq sauce together before pouring them into the crock pot.
If using a sweet barbeque sauce you can reduce the jelly by ¼ cup. Be sure to taste it before pouring it on meatballs so the sauce isn’t too sweet.
Kitchen Supplies You’ll Need for Baked Meatballs in Oven
Ah, simplicity! Keeping things simple always gives me the best results. It’s recipes like this that help busy parents keep their sanity!
- 9×13 baking dish
- Small saucepan
- Wooden spoon or rubber spatula
What to Serve With Baked Meatballs in Oven
These meatballs are versatile. Serve them with spaghetti sauce, on sub rolls for meatball subs, or with a side of garlic bread. You could also serve them with a salad, or use them in a meatball casserole!
Why You Should Make Baked Meatballs in Oven
Because it’s great to slather barbecue sauce onto frozen meatballs! These will be the best baked meatballs you’ve had!
- It’s a fun and easy meatball recipe that everyone can help with.
- You can serve them in different ways, like on sub rolls or with spaghetti sauce.
- They make for great leftovers. Just store them in an airtight container, and they’re good for a quick meal later.
- You can freeze them, which makes it a convenient meal prep option.
Variations and Add-Ins for Baked Meatballs in Oven
It’s always great to change things up a little bit. This simple recipe will let you adjust it to your own preferences. Here are a few ideas to get you started!
- Swap the meat: Try using ground turkey or ground chicken for a leaner option.
- Add cheese: For a cheesy twist, add some mozzarella cheese or Parmesan cheese inside the meatballs.
- Spice it up: Add a little kick with red pepper flakes or hot sauce mixed into the meat.
- Level up the sauce: Add a little Worcestershire sauce with the other mixture to level things up even more!
If you love this easy meatball appetizer recipe, you’re going to love these other meatball recipes too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!
More Great Meatball Recipes
Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Oven Baked Meatball Sandwiches
20-Minute Pepper Jelly Glazed Meatballs
Slow Cooker Blueberry Honey Garlic Meatballs
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Baked Meatballs in Oven
Ingredients
- 34 Italian meatballs frozen
- 1 cup grape jelly
- 1 cup barbeque sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F.
- Place the meatballs in a single layer in the baking dish.
- Bake for 25 minutes.
- Combine the grape jelly and barbeque sauce together in a saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Once the grape jelly has fully melted (no clumps remain), remove the meatballs from the oven. Pour the sauce over the meatballs, stirring to coat.
- Return the baking dish to the oven and increase the heat to 425. Bake for another 5-7 mins for the sauce to thicken before removing and serving.
Notes
Equipment
- 9×13 baking dish
- small saucepan
Nutrition
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate. Please double-check with your own dietary calculator for the best accuracy. We at Yummi Haus cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
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