Mother-In-Law's Barbecued Meatballs

My husband overwhelmingly prefers my cooking to his Mother's, but this is one recipe I got from her that is still a big favorite for both him and our son. I adjusted the amounts a bit to make a bit more sauce, but it's basically her original recipe. It's on the sweet side, but you can adjust flavorings to suit your family's tastes. I sometimes add a bit of crushed red pepper to add some kick. Don't let the amount of ketchup scare you! It does not taste ketchupy - just rich and flavorful. The meatballs still taste good even if you want to stretch them by adding a bit more oats or bread. Note: In response to reviews, I have posted an alternative method of browning the meatballs in the oven.

• Ready In: 55 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• MEATBALLS

• 1  lb ground beef
• 2  tablespoons onions, chopped
• 1  egg
• 2  slices  bread, cubed
• 1⁄3 cup oatmeal
• 2⁄3 cup milk
•  salt and pepper

• SAUCE

• 1 1⁄2 cups ketchup
• 1  cup brown sugar
• 3  tablespoons soy sauce
• 2  teaspoons mustard (I prefer spicy brown or dijon)
• 3⁄4 cup water
•  cooked rice

Directions

1. Meatballs:
2. Mix ground beef, onion, egg, bread, oatmeal, milk, salt and pepper in a large bowl.
3. Roll into balls.
4. Brown meatballs in a skillet; these are very moist meatballs, making them a bit tricky to brown in a skillet. I usually just push them around a bit and don't brown completely.
5. Alternatively, meatballs could be browned briefly in the oven in a nonstick pan at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes. Tthey don't need to be cooked through since they will be cooked in the sauce. I've never done it this way, so just watch them so they just brown rather than cook all the way and get dried out.
6. Place browned meatballs in baking dish.
7. Sauce:
8. Mix ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, mustard, water together.
9. Pour sauce over meatballs.
10. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until meatballs are cooked through, about 30 minutes.
11. Serve over rice.