Just a Smidge: How Ketchup Will Change your Meatball Game

Have you ever tasted a meatball and thought, what is responsible for this touch of sweetness and perfect texture? Well, among other things like the perfect bread crumbs and flour combo (and garlic, doesn't get enough credit, ever), whatever it was, it was greatly helped by ketchup. As many recipes will instruct you to use a few drops of Worcestershire (worche-cher-cher I can never do it) sauce, other courageous avant-garde cooks will let you in on their secret: I've already mentioned it before so the build-up was a bit much. It's ketchup. Next time you prepare meatballs, add in ketchup instead of your sauce of choice and notice the difference. Spoiler alert, it's a good one. I won't say I use it every time as I like to try many different meatball recipes, but I was very satisfied with the results and I will definitely be re-using this trick in the future.

You will need,

Lean ground beef (1 lbs)

Onions (1/2 cup, finely chopped)

Bread crumbs (1/4 cup)

Garlic (2 cloves, minced)

Egg (1, which is 100% whisked beforehand, just wanted to take a dramatic pouring shot above thank you for understanding)

Parmesan (1/4 cup)

Ketchup (3 tbsp)

Salt and pepper

Parsley (minced, 1 tbsp is recommended but I use a whole bunch)

* I got the measurements from Jenn at YummyHealthyEasy because I cannot keep up with my handfuls and pinches to write them down half the time, so thank you to this lady check out her blog!

A few simple steps,

1. Combine all dry ingredients together, add the garlic, scallions and whisked egg and then the meat. Season with salt and pepper and blend with your hands.

2. Create balls (around 1 inch each) by rolling them with your hands- I suggest turning your phone off, you won't want to take a call.

3. Place of a baking dish in the oven at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes or until brown. Don't worry if they stay a tad longer, they will still have that juicy and moist texture thanks to the ? KETCHUP!

And might I suggest,

Cheers and goodnight!