Savory Italian Meatballs or Meatloaf

Submitted by NormCooks

"You'll have enough juicy meatballs for everyone, and they will keep coming back for more. Make the meatloaf instead and your guests will be in awe of your culinary skills."

 

• Ready In: 2hrs 5mins
• Ingredients: 7
• Serves: 20

ingredients

• 5 lbs ground beef
• 1⁄2 cup Italian style breadcrumbs
• 1⁄2 cup finely chopped onion
• 1⁄2 cup finely chopped bell pepper
• 1 lb hot Italian sausage (optional)
• 2 tablespoons emeril's italian spice essence
• 3 (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce

directions

1. Wash your hands.
2. Form your ground beef into a tube on a large cutting board. Cut a slice down the middle of the tube forming a pocket along it's length.
3. Remove the Italian Sausage (optional) from casing and place it into the pocket, then sprinkle all other ingredients over it (except the Spaghetti Sauce).
4. Knead your ground beef tube with your hands until all ingredients are mixed thoroughly.
5. Form your meatballs rolling them with the palms of your hands.
6. If you are making meatloaf instead of meatballs, form your meatloaf tightly and bake it on a broiler pan (so the grease will drain through the holes) at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes. During the last 10 minutes of cooking, pour your favorite Spaghetti Sauce over your meatloaf. When the meatloaf is done, it is ready to serve.
7. Place your meatballs on tin foil in a large roasting pan. Roast at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes. This recipe makes about 50 meatballs. You may need to use 2 roasting pans depending on your pan size. Remove from oven when done.
8. Pour your sauce (I always use Paul Newman's Sockarooni Sauce) into a crockpot until it is about 1/2 full. Add your meatballs and cover with a bit more sauce. Freeze any extra meatballs or set them aside in your fridge for a second serving later.
9. Set your crockpot on high. Your meatballs will be ready to serve in about 1 hour.
10. Try to keep the crowd back once word spreads about the juicy Italian flavor. Whatver else is happening at your party, a line will always be formed in front of your meatballs.