Mom's Applesauce Meatballs

A childhood favorite, whenever Mom made these meatballs they'd disappear quickly off the dinner table!

• Ready In: 1 hr 15 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 2  lbs ground beef
• 1  cup applesauce
• 1  cup  soft breadcrumbs
• 2  eggs
•  salt
•  pepper
•  flour
• 2  tablespoons  vegetable oil

• Vegetables - this is important for the flavor and sauce

• 1  stalk celery, thinly sliced
• 1  green pepper, minced
• 1  carrot, thinely sliced
• 1  small onion, thinly sliced
• 2  cups tomato juice or 2  cups  V8 vegetable juice

Directions

1. Mix beef, applesauce, and bread crumbs.
2. Add eggs; season with salt and pepper.
3. Shape into small balls, roll in flour and brown in hot oil.
4. Place balls in a casserole dish.
5. To drippings in pan add vegetables and tomato juice.
6. Season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil, then pour over meat balls (this is an important step).
7. Cover and bake in a moderate oven of 350 degrees for about an hour, until vegetables have broken down and have created a nice sauce.
8. If desired, the gravy can be thickened with a little flour-water paste before serving.