Tender, juicy beef with a sweet and sticky homemade sauce, Baked BBQ Beef Meatballs make the perfect portable lunch, show-stopping appetizer, or easy weeknight meal the whole family will love.
This post is in partnership with Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. on behalf of the Beef Checkoff. We received compensation, but all opinions expressed are our own. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep Compston Kitchen going!
With the school year back in full swing, we're getting back into the rhythm of all our family's healthy routines, including planning our weekly menu. Writing out our meals for the week helps us be more intentional about including the right balance of nutrient-rich foods our little ones need to grow and thrive during this busy season. School-aged children and adolescents need important nutrients, such as high-quality protein, iron, zinc, choline and vitamins B6 and B12, to support their learning, activity, growth and development. Sadly, research shows that many fall short of these nutrient needs. That's why we rely on family favorite recipes containing lean beef which contain the important nutrients needed to fuel our family all year long.
These Baked BBQ Beef Meatballs supply all the back-to-school needs:
- Ready in under 30 minutes
- Portable option for school and work
- Great source of essential nutrients
- Kid-and-parent approved
Our favorite way to enjoy these meatballs is packed into bento boxes for delicious meals away from home.
WHY WE LOVE GROUND BEEF
- More Bang For Your Buck. Let's face it, grocery bills are adding up quickly these days. Ground Beef is one of the most affordable cuts of beef and when compared to alternative high-quality proteins, beef provides many essential nutrients in a smaller serving size than some other choices. For instance, you’d have to eat 8 oz. of cooked chicken breast to get the same amount of iron and 20 oz. of cooked chicken breast to meet the same amount of zinc in just a 3 oz. serving of cooked beef.
- Versatile Protein. From meatballs and meatloaves, to tacos, burgers, casseroles, and sauces, there are SO many delicious ways to incorporate Ground Beef into everyday meals. We like to keep some on hand at all times for easy additions to just about any recipe.
- Kid-Friendly. Ground Beef is a hit with little ones thanks to its flavor, texture, and as previously mentioned, ability to be mixed into just about any dish! Nutritionally speaking, it is one of the best first foods to start little ones off on their eating journeys.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE
Ground Beef
We're fans of 93% Ground Beef which offers a nice ratio of lean to fat while still keeping meatballs juicy and tender.
Almond Meal
Almond meal binds our meatballs together and offers a gluten free alternative to breadcrumbs. You can use traditional breadcrumbs or another gluten free alternative if desired.
Egg
Egg helps bind our meatballs together. We recommend one egg per pound of Ground Beef. If doubling this recipe, be sure to double your eggs as well!
Ketchup
Ketchup adds flavor and helps keep meatballs moist as they cook.
Dry Herbs & Seasonings
These meatballs get a flavorful boost from a mix of dry herbs and seasonings. If you don't have them all on hand you can use what you do have. Fresh herbs can also be used in place of the dry herbs listed.
BBQ Sauce
Our simple BBQ sauce comes together in minutes and is packed with sweet and smokey flavor. If you're short on time you can always grab a bottle of your favorite sauce to use in its place. You'll need approximately 16 oz. of sauce for this recipe.
HOW TO MAKE THESE MEATBALLS
Step 1
To start, we'll prepare our meatball mixture. Combine all ingredients into a large mixing bowl and work together until combined. Then, form mixture into even 1 ½" rounds.
Step 2
Next, place the meatballs onto a lined sheet pan and bake for 12 minutes, or until they have reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Farenheight.
Step 3
While the meatballs bake, it's time to whip together the simple BBQ sauce. Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl and whisk together until fully combined.
Step 4
Once baked, transfer the meatballs to a skillet, ensuring space for each meatball without overlapping.
Add BBQ sauce and bring to a light simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until meatballs are fully cooked through.
Step 5
Now it's time to build your lunchboxes! We like to pair our meatballs with rice pilaf, fresh fruits and veggies, and some chocolate for a tasty lunch worth repeating!
MORE WAYS TO LOVE MEATBALLS
BBQ Beef Meatballs aren't just made for bento boxes, they make delicious additions to a number of easy weekday meals!
- BBQ & Cheddar Meatball Sandwiches
- Meatball-Potato, & Veggie Kabobs
- Lettuce Wraps with Sliced Meatballs & Coleslaw
- BBQ Meatball Quesadillas
- Meatball Stuffed Baked Potatoes
- BBQ "Burger" Salad with Pickles, Crispy Onions, & Special Sauce
Baked BBQ Beef Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Ground Beef 93% or leaner recommended
- ¼ cup almond meal can sub with panko breadbrumbs
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ½ teaspoon each, granulated garlic and onion powders
- ¼ teaspoon each, dried parsley and dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon dried chives
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
Homemade BBQ Sauce
- 1 tablespoon granulated onion powder
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoon water
- 5 tablespoon molasses*
- 3 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ tsp ground pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- In a large mixing bowl combine all meatloaf ingredients and work together with hands until combined.
- Form mixture into even 1 ½” meatballs (should yield about one dozen meatballs).
- Place onto a lined sheet pan and bake for 12 minutes.
- While meatballs bake, prepare BBQ sauce. Combine all sauce ingredients in a mixing bowl and whisk well to combine; set aside.
- Remove meatballs from sheet pan and place into a skillet with the bbq sauce. Bring to a light simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce has reduced slightly and meatballs read an internal temperature of 160°F
This was a great quick meal as a college student. I never thought to use almond meal as an alternative but the flavor was amazing!!
Great recipe! I love the BBQ sauce it added more flavor than I’ve usually had on meatballs.
I would like to make this in the future, I think it looks tasty.
I am definitely trying this recipe. I love meatballs, and this will give me something new to try.
This recipe looks so good and I can’t wait to share with my family. We are always looking for new meatball recipes and love to make them from scratch! It also seems quick and easy which is good for my always busy family.
I am definitely making this. It looks so good, and I love meatballs.
This looks delicious! I love meatballs, and I have always wanted to make them one day. As a college student, I need to be able to cook food for myself and eat healthier, and this is a great, easy, and quick meal. I will definitely add this to my list.
So yummy! As a college student this is a perfect affordable and easy recipe that I'll definitely be adding into my weekly meal rotation. It's also a great way to make sure I'm reaching my protein goals!
As a college student this essay looks so filling and nutritious! I can't wait to make it for my roommates! My family only ever has ground turkey meatballs but I can't wait to try beef ones!
As a college student, this meal is so easy to whip up in the midst of studying. My roommate and I thoroughly enjoyed this as our Sunday dinner.
This is the most appetizing meal from your kitchen. As a college student, the ingredients are easy to get and simple to make. Can't wait to surprise my parents by making this dish.
My girlfriend and I just made these last night, absolutely amazing. It's hard to find good food in Tuscaloosa and this makes it so easy to cook at home! I'd recommend to anyone who likes BBQ or meatballs, or both!
This recipe looks awesome! I can't wait to make it with my family.
I love BBQ and I love meatballs! Perfect combination. I can't wait to try this healthy, affordable, and delicious recipe. Thank you so much!
These look amazing and I will definitely be making them for my Christmas Eve party!
I am a huge fan of meatballs and this recipe looks so good! Can't wait to try it and share with my friends!
I enjoy this recipe because my mom would make meatballs at home all the time and this taste just like them.
I am so excited to try this recipe with my family over thanksgiving break! I am a huge fan of homemade dishes like this one!! Looks delicious!
This was SO easy to make and super yummy!! My roommates and I enjoyed these on Sunday night after church! Im a big meatball lover!
This reminds me of those good baby shower meat balls, I cant wait to try this at home I know it is going to be delicious.
This is my favorite meal from your kitchen! As a college student, its relatively easy and accessible which is something that is very important! Im a super picky eater and me and my friends really enjoyed these! Im really excited to try some more recipes from this website because this year is my first year having my own kitchen living without my family.
Being a full time college student and nursing major, this recipe seems quick and easy to make for long study nights. I cannot wait to try this recipe! It looks so good!!
Being a full time college student and working a part time job, this recipe seems quick and easy for busy nights. I cannot wait to try this recipe considering meatballs are one of my favorite foods!
I am definitely looking forward to trying this recipe. My family has always bought the ones that were already formed and frozen from the store. I am a huge fan of homecooked/ handmade recipes. 5-star recipe!
This is one of my favorite meals from your kitchen! I love meatballs the right way which is homemade/handmade like these. They were so good and I also enjoyed the bundt cakes with my wife. She has a big sweet tooth and devoured them! We are planning to make the beef noodle bowl and rainbow beef burgers can't wait your recipes look so fun!
Hi Jamar, we are so happy to hear the meatballs are a hit with the whole family! Thanks so much for the great feedback and hope you enjoy the other recipes as well.