Applesauce Meatballs

This was my mother's standard dinner recipe for guests. These meatballs are juicy and packed with flavor! They go great with scalloped potatoes as a side dish.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 10 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 35 mins
• Calories: 519 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 cup applesauce
• 2 onions, thinly sliced
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 1 pound ground beef
• 3 cups tomato juice
• Flour
• ½ teaspoon salt and pepper to taste
• 4 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Combine applesauce, egg, bread crumbs, and salt and pepper, with ground beef; mix until well blended. (This is best done by hand.) Form mixture into medium-sized meatballs, and roll in flour.

Step 3

Heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a large skillet over medium high or high heat. Cook meatballs, turning occasionally, until evenly browned but not cooked through. Transfer to a baking dish and set aside.

Step 4

In the same skillet, partially cook the carrots and onions over medium high heat. Add tomato juice, season to taste with salt and pepper, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes, then pour over meatballs.

Step 5

Cook, covered, in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until carrots are tender and meatballs are cooked through. Cook uncovered for 10 minutes before removing from the oven.