Prep: 15-20 Minutes (estimated for mixing and shaping meatballs) Cook: 2 hours and 25 Minutes (includes baking and slow-cooking) Numbers of Serves: 3-4 people (based on a yield of 18 meatballs)

peppered-meatballs-american-homemade-recipe

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 2 teaspoons grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
  • 2 to 3 teaspoons pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon dry bread crumbs
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1-1/2 pounds ground beef
    •

    Sauce Ingredients

  • 1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
  • 1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
  • 2 teaspoons dill weed
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
    •

    Instructions

    1. Mix the Base: In a bowl, combine the 1/2 cup sour cream and Parmesan cheese. Add pepper, salt, breadcrumbs, and garlic powder.
    2. Form Meatballs: Crumble the ground beef over the mixture and mix well. Shape into 1-inch balls.
    3. Bake: Place the balls in a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 20-25 minutes or until no longer pink.
    4. Slow Cook: Transfer the baked meatballs to a slow cooker.
    5. Prepare Sauce: Combine all the sauce ingredients and pour the mixture over the meatballs.
    6. Final Simmer: Cover and cook on high for 2 hours or until heated through.

    Yield: 1-1/2 dozen (2 cups sauce).


    For Nutritional And Health Benefits

    If the nutrition of this excellent dish is examined closely, it emerges as a superb choice packed with protein and energy, which is extremely beneficial for physical growth and muscle strength. Its primary ingredient, ground beef, provides the body with ample iron and zinc, which are essential for combating anemia and boosting immunity. Additionally, the combination of fermented cream and cheese provides the body with calcium and essential fats that are beneficial for bone health and joint strength. Garlic powder not only helps balance blood pressure but also improves digestion, while black pepper, being rich in antioxidants, reduces inflammation in the body. This dish can be part of a balanced diet because it is very low in carbohydrates, making it suitable even for those on a weight-loss or sugar-control diet.

    For Pro Tips And Substitute Ingredients

    To make this recipe absolutely perfect and extremely flavorful, it's essential to keep a few special things in mind. When you form meatballs, don't press them too much with your hands, because over-kneading makes them tough and strips away their internal juices. A common mistake when cooking is keeping the heat too high, which causes the top to crack, so cooking over low heat is the real secret. If you want to make this recipe even healthier, you can substitute chicken or turkey ground meat for the beef, which will significantly reduce the fat content. Additionally, instead of regular balai, you can use a low-fat yogurt alternative, which maintains the flavor while keeping calories in check.

    For Serving And Storing

    The best way to serve this hot and aromatic dish is to serve it with boiled rice, buttered noodles, or steamed vegetables so that you can fully enjoy its thick gravy. A fresh green salad tossed with lemon juice helps digest this hearty meal. If there are any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they will stay fresh for up to three days. When reheating, use the stovetop instead of the microwave, and add two tablespoons of milk or water while keeping the pan over low heat to maintain its creaminess and prevent the cream from separating.