Easy Applesauce Meatballs

Get ready to elevate your dinner game with these flavor-packed Easy Applesauce Meatballs! This recipe combines tender, juicy meatballs made from a perfectly seasoned blend of ground beef, breadcrumbs, and spices, with a sweet and tangy homemade glaze featuring unsweetened applesauce, ketchup, brown sugar, and soy sauce. The result is a delightful balance of savory and sweet in every bite. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish requires just 15 minutes of prep and bakes in a single skillet for easy cleanup. Serve these meatballs as a standalone appetizer, over fluffy rice, or alongside creamy mashed potatoes for a satisfying family meal. With its ease of preparation, rich flavors, and versatile serving options, this recipe is a delicious twist on classic comfort food that will keep everyone coming back for more.

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 cup applesauce (unsweetened)
• 0.5 cup ketchup
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp soy sauce

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined but do not overwork the meat.

Step 3

Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs, about the size of a walnut. You should have approximately 20–24 meatballs.

Step 4

Heat the vegetable oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs in a single layer and sear for 2–3 minutes on each side until browned. Remove from heat but leave the meatballs in the skillet.

Step 5

In a medium bowl, whisk together the applesauce, ketchup, brown sugar, and soy sauce to create the glaze.

Step 6

Pour the glaze evenly over the browned meatballs in the skillet, making sure to coat each one.

Step 7

Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).

Step 8

Remove the skillet from the oven and let the meatballs rest for a few minutes. Serve warm on their own, over rice, or with mashed potatoes.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	997.2 grams (997.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1838

Total Fat 117.30g	150%
Saturated Fat 38.50g	193%
Polyunsaturated Fat 18.80g
Cholesterol 541mg	180%
Sodium 3517mg	153%
Total Carbohydrate 120.30g	44%
Dietary Fiber 5.60g	20%
Total Sugars 65.60g
Protein 93.00g	186%

Vitamin D 54IU	269%
Calcium 141mg	11%
Iron 12mg	65%
Potassium 1446mg	31%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 55.3%

Protein: 19.5%

Carbs: 25.2%