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Meatballs topped with red sauce and parsley in a cream bowl with mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, and carrots, next to a fork on a wooden board.

Famous Meatballs

An old-fashioned family meatball recipe made with ground beef, oatmeal, and Milnot, baked in a sweet and smoky ketchup sauce. A longtime family favorite for potlucks and special occasions.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 1 large batch (2-tablespoon meatballs)
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs
  • 3 pounds ground beef
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup chopped onions
  • 2 cups oatmeal quick oats
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 (13-ounce) can Milnot evaporated milk will work in a pinch
For the Sauce
  • 2 cups ketchup
  • ¼ cup chopped onions
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons liquid smoke

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, eggs, chopped onion, oatmeal, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Milnot.
  3. Mix until evenly incorporated.
  4. Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop, portion the meatball mixture and form into balls.
  5. Arrange meatballs in a baking dish in a single layer. Do not stack.
  6. In a separate bowl, combine ketchup, chopped onion, brown sugar, and liquid smoke. Stir until the brown sugar is incorporated.
  7. Pour the sauce evenly over the meatballs.
  8. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil or an oven-safe lid.
  9. Bake at 350°F for approximately 1 hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
  10. Serve hot with sauce spooned over the meatballs.

Notes

  • Scoop Size: A 2-tablespoon cookie scoop was used for the filmed recipe.
  • Milnot: The original family recipe uses one 13-ounce can. Unsweetened evaporated milk is a practical alternative, although results may vary slightly.
  • Liquid Smoke: The full 2 tablespoons is correct and was used in the tested recipe.
  • Baking: Keep meatballs in a single layer and cover the dish while baking.
  • Yield: The exact number of meatballs was not recorded. Use the 2-tablespoon scoop consistently to portion the mixture.
  • Internal Temperature: Cook ground beef meatballs to 160°F.
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