Archive for the ‘MEATBALLS’ Category
Sweet & Sour Meatballs
January 15, 2017 Lee
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Sweet & Sour Meatballs

These sound really good, think meatball sandwiches, spaghetti and meatball soup, stews, macaroni and meatballs, or even served as is over rice. I need to test this recipe out.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 3 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams ground beef
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup bread crumbs
  • 340 grams chili sauce, I will clarify this when I make it
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

Instructions
 

  • Mix together beef, garlic powder, onion powder, egg, and bread crumbs. Form into small balls and set aside.
  • Pour chili sauce into medium saucepan. Refill bottle with water, shake well, and add to pot. Add the brown sugar and lemon juice, and mix. Bring sauce to a boil. Taste and adjust amounts of lemon juice and brown sugar to taste. Drop in meatballs. Return to boil, reduce to a simmer and cover, and cook about 30 minutes. Serve as is over rice or use in any number of recipes calling for meatballs.

Notes

Ground beef will run about 100 Baht/500 grams, for 4 servings this is about 73 cents per serving.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,MEATBALLS
Baked Spaghetti & Meatballs
November 26, 2016 Lee
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Baked Spaghetti & Meatballs

Sounds really, can be made in a cast iron pan (or any oven safe pan then baked right in the pan or put into a baking dish and then baked. On my to cook list. There is several shortcuts you can make as well to save costs. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 12-18 meatballs, cooked, OR make from a shortcut
  • 3 cup pasta sauce, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 350 grams spaghetti
  • 1-2 cups Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions
 

  • For the meatballs, you can use cooked and frozen from a store or homemade fresh cooked or cooked and frozen meatballs. Chicken, beef, or pork, up to you. I have a shortcut for basic chicken meatballs listed in the Recipe Notes or you can make the meatballs with any recipe you have.
  • In a large oven proof skillet, or a large regular skillet if you are going to use a baking dish, heat the olive oil over medium heat and cook the onion until soft, then add the garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, then add the meatballs, pasta sauce, and the Italian seasoning. Simmer for 20-30 minutes to warm the meatballs through.
  • While the meatballs are warming up, bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until just tender then drain, retaining the water from the pot.
  • With a slotted spoon remove the meatballs from the sauce and set aside.
  • Add the spaghetti to the pasta sauce, add in 1/2 cup of water from the pasta and gently stir to coat the spaghetti. Spread the spaghetti evenly in the skillet then add the meatballs on top.
  • If you are going to be using a baking dish (or two) pour the spaghetti into the baking dish and spread it evenly in the dish, then add the meatballs on top.
  • Sprinkle the cheeses on top of the meatballs and bake for 20-30 minutes or until hot and bubbly and the cheese is melted. Serve with a salad and bread.

Notes

I cannot price this right now until I make it, considering the cheese, I will say fair cost right now but that will be adjusted after I make this.
Shortcuts: Chicken Meatballs, Pasta Sauce.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,MEATBALLS,PASTA
Cheesy Meatball Skillet
November 11, 2016 Lee
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Cheesy Meatball Skillet

Sounds wonderful in deed! There is also two cost saving shortcuts you can make as well for this dish. On my to cook list. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

For the Sauce

  • 2-3 cups marinara sauce, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
  • 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped

For the Meatballs

  • 500 grams ground beef
  • 3 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 tablespoon Worcherstershire sauce
  • 1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • salt and black pepper, to taste
  • olive oil, as needed

Instructions
 

  • Add all of the meatball ingredients to a large bowl and mix by hand to combine. Scoop out about a golf ball size of meat and roll in your hands to make a ball. You should get about 14-16 meatballs, depending on the size you are making.
  • Using a large pan, cast iron would be ideal for this, on medium heat, heat a splash of olive oil and brown the meatballs until evenly browned, about 8 minutes or so, you will have to do this in batches as well. As the meatballs are browned, transfer them to a plate with some paper towels to drain them. When all the meatballs are browned, drain any oil from the pan.
  • Reduce the heat to a low simmer and pour in the marinara sauce, and add the meatballs back one at a time and coat them in the sauce. Simmer the meatballs in the sauce for 5-10 minutes, gently moving them around every few minutes. You can test a meatball with a thermometer for doneness or sacrifice 1 by cutting it in half. When the meatballs are done, sprinkle on the Mozzarella cheese and cover until the cheese is melted, sprinkle on the basil.
  • Serve on a bun for a meatball sandwich or over pasta.

Notes

Ground beef will run about 100 Baht/500 grams. Mozzarella cheese will cost about 70 Baht for the 1 cup shredded (about 100 grams from a block). For 4 servings, this is about $1.25 per serving.
Shortcuts: Marinara Sauce, Italian Breadcrumbs.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,MEATBALLS
All Purpose Chicken Meatballs
October 13, 2016 Lee
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All Purpose Chicken Meatballs

Holly - Spend with Pennies
This recipe can also be used for ground turkey as well and was originally posted as that in the title, but I am going to list this using chicken. This sounds really easy and the meatballs are baked which will aide them keeping their shape. Make a batch and freeze them, then use as needed as an appetizer with a dipping sauce, pasta sauces, etc. Consider this a base recipe to be used in a variety of recipes.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 28 minutes
Total Time 43 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 50 meatballs

Ingredients
  

  • 1 kilo ground chicken, OR ground turkey
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 cup minced onion
  • 2/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C. Line a baking sheet with foil.
  • Place all ingredients in a large bowl. I ground 1 kilo (2 lbs) of chicken tenders.
  • Use your hands and mix to just combine, do not over mix as that will result in a tough meatball.
  • Roll the mixture into 1 inch balls and place on the baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes until just cooked through, do not overcook or once again, tough meatballs. One inch meatballs should make about 50 meatballs. I use an ice cream scoop to measure, then place that in your hand and roll that, mine came out to about 1 1/2 inches and I made 26. I baked them for 35 minutes and they were perfect.
  • Now, if you have a specific need for 1 kilo of meatballs at one time, go ahead and use, but more than likely, you are going to freeze these. Let the meatballs cool to room temperature, then place on another baking sheet and put in the freezer, once frozen then place all in a freezer bag or container, then you can take out the meatballs you need for a specific recipe.

Notes

The Tesco website lists Grade A Mince Chicken as 79 Baht/kilo, which very good considering 50 meatballs or so and can be used in several dishes. Easily under $1 per serving.
Used in Recipes Listed on this Site:
 
Inspired by Spend With Pennies and the link to this recipe is here.
United States.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,INGREDIENTS,MEATBALLS
Swedish Meatballs (Svenska Kottbullar)
October 2, 2016 Lee
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Swedish Meatballs (Svenska Kottbullar)

Adapted from an internet recipe.
I love Swedish Meatballs, and have had the honor and pleasure to have them made by a Swedish lady about 7-8 years ago, had not had them since, I need to change that. I have contacted several Swedish friends and I am always pointed to this recipe to use. So here it is and I look forward to making this and reporting my findings. The spices stated are important. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Swedish
Servings 6 servings

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Baking Pan

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs

  • 2 slices day old bread, crumbled
  • ½ cup heavy cream, Shortcut
  • 1 teaspoon butter
  • 1 small onion, minced
  • 300 grams ground beef, (10 oz)
  • 150 grams minced pork, (5 oz)
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
  • â…› teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • ¼ cup chicken stock, fresh or from powder

For the Gravy

  • pan drippings
  • 3 tablespoons all purpose flour, or as needed
  • 2 cups beef stock, or as needed
  • 100-220 grams sour cream, to taste, (3½-7 oz)
  • salt and cracked black pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 180° C (350° F). Get out a large baking dish.
  • Place the bread crumbs into a small bowl, and mix in the cream. Allow to stand until crumbs absorb the cream, about 10 minutes. While the bread is soaking, melt 1 teaspoon of butter in a skillet over medium heat, and cook and stir the onion until it turns light brown, about 10 minutes. Place onion into a mixing bowl; mix with the ground beef, ground pork, egg, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, nutmeg, allspice, and ginger. Lightly mix in the bread crumbs and cream.
  • Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Pinch off about 1½ tablespoon of the meat mixture per meatball, and form into balls. Place the meatballs into the skillet, and cook just until the outsides are brown, about 5 minutes, turning the meatballs often. Insides of the meatballs will still be pink. Place browned meatballs into a baking dish, pour in chicken broth, and cover with foil. Bake until the meatballs are tender, about 40 minutes. Remove meatballs to a serving dish.
  • To make the gravy, pour pan drippings into a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk the flour into the pan drippings until smooth, and gradually whisk in enough beef broth to total about 2½ cups of liquid. Bring the gravy to a simmer, whisking constantly until thick, about 5 minutes. Just before serving, whisk in the sour cream, taste so you do not over do the sour cream. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
  • Serve the gravy with the meatballs and mashed potatoes or boiled macaroni.

Notes

Figure about 150 Baht for the beef and pork. For 6 servings this is about 75 cents per serving. You can keep the meatballs and gravy warm in a slow cooker.
Shortcut: Heavy Cream.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,: SWEDISH,MEATBALLS
Easy Slow Cooker Meatballs
September 30, 2016 Lee
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Easy Slow Cooker Meatballs

These sound very good, feel free to use ground beef, ground pork, bulk Italian sausage, or even ground chicken. Several shortcuts here to cuts costs as well. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 20 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 16 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 750 grams ground beef, OR minced pork, OR bulk Italian sausage, OR ground chicken
  • 1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs, OR make from a shortcut on this site
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 3 cups tomato sauce, OR make from a shortcut on this site
  • 2 cans whole peeled tomatoes, chopped, with juice from one can
  • 1 medium onion, minced
  • 2 tablespoons dried parsley
  • 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano

Instructions
 

  • In your slow cooker pot, add the tomato sauce, chopped tomatoes, dried parsley, Italian seasoning, and dried oregano. Mix this up a bit.
  • In a large bowl mix the ground beef, bread crumbs, fresh parsley, garlic, onion, and egg together. Form into 16-20 meatballs. Place meatballs in the slow cooker and gently stir to coat them all in the sauce. Cook on High setting for 1 hour, then change to Low setting for another 3-4 hours. IMPORTANT, every few hours, use a spoon and skim the fat off the top of the sauce. Serve over pasta of your choice.

Notes

The ground beef will cost about 200-250 Baht/kilo. Figuring 200 Baht, for 16 servings (I think this is quite high and I will adjust when I make this), is about 37 cents per serving, less if using pork or chicken.
Shortcuts: Italian Sausage, Seasoned Breadcrumbs, Tomato Sauce.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,MEATBALLS
Porcupine Meatballs I
August 31, 2016 Lee
1 Comment

Porcupine Meatballs I

Adapted from an internet recipe.
I remember having these when I was a wee boy. Always tasted great. Meatballs with rice simmered in tomato soup or tomato sauce. Perfect. Can be made with beef or pork, or even chicken. I made this on 11 Sep 2016, excellent and on my Go-to list as a regular meal. Recipe modified to reflect my findings. The recipe is broke into cooking on the Stove Top and for Baking. Photos I took were for the baking method. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams ground beef, OR minced pork, OR bulk Italian sausage (sausage has a shortcut)
  • 1/4 cup rice, uncooked
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 tablespoon dried parsley
  • 1 small onion, or one large shallot
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • dash black pepper
  • 1 can tomato soup, divided, OR make from a shortcut on this site (1 1/4 cup), or tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 teaspoons Worcherstershire sauce

Instructions
 

For Stove Top

  • Combine ground beef, rice, eggs, parsley, onion, salt, pepper, and 1/4 cup of the tomato soup or tomato sauce. Mix well. Shape mixture into about 20 small meatballs.
  • In a large non stick skillet, mix rest of soup, water, and Worcestershire together and bring to a boil. Carefully add the meatballs (this will or should prevent the meatballs from falling apart). Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 40 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through and rice is soft, stirring often. Serve with pasta or potatoes and a vegetable for a complete meal.

For Baking

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C (350 F). Get out a 9x13 baking dish.
  • First thing I did was made the tomato sauce from the shortcut using tomato paste, very easy. You will use the full amount that the shortcut states. Use a ladle and put 2 scoops of sauce in the bottom of the baking dish to cover it evenly.
  • Combine ground beef, rice, eggs, parsley, onion, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and 1/4 cup of the tomato soup or tomato sauce. Mix well. Shape mixture into about 12 medium sized meatballs and place in the baking dish. If you have more meatballs than what will fit in the dish, use another smaller dish for those. Sprinkle with cracked black pepper.
  • Pour the rest of the soup or tomato sauce over the meatballs.
  • Bake for 1 hour. Then if using a counter top oven, switch to the top coil to brown up the tops a bit.
  • Not the greatest photo, as I topped 3 meatballs on my plate with shredded Mozzarella cheese.

Notes

The meat is the only costly item in this dish. Ground beef would be about 125 Baht/500 grams, pork about 60 Baht/500 grams, and chicken would be about 42 Baht/500 grams (think thighs). This comes out to about 62 cents per serving for 6 servings using beef, less for pork or chicken.
Shortcuts: Italian Sausage, Tomato Soup, Tomato Sauce.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,MEATBALLS
Salisbury Steak Meatballs
August 21, 2016 Lee
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Salisbury Steak Meatballs

Sounds really good. There is a load of ingredients, for the meatballs and the sauce. On my to cook list. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 10 servings

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs

  • 1 kilo ground beef, OR minced pork, OR ground chicken
  • 3/4 cup seasoned breadcrumbs, OR make from a shortcut listed on this site
  • 1/8 cup brown mustard
  • 1/4 cup tomato ketchup, OR make from a shortcut listed on this site
  • 1 teaspoon beef stock powder
  • 1 tablespoon Worcherstershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten

For the Sauce

  • 1/4 cup butter, this is 1/4 of a standard blcok of butter
  • 1 large onion, halved and sliced
  • 2 1/2 cups beef stock, fresh or make from powder
  • 1 tablespoon Worcherstershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon tomato ketchup, OR make from a shortcut listed on this site
  • 2 tablespoons corn starch, mix with a little beef stock to make a paste
  • 500 grams egg noodles, OR Fettuccine pasta, cooked to just done and drained
  • fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C, or if you choose to pan fry these, omit this step.
  • In a large bowl, mix the meatball ingredients until completely combined. Form into golf ball size meatballs and place on a baking sheet pan or a rack on a sheet pan, just place on a plate if you are going to pan fry these.
  • To cook these, baking is preferred, bake for 20 to 30 minutes, cut one in half to make sure they are cooked through. Pan frying may result in meatballs falling apart.
  • In a large non stick skillet, add about a tablespoon of butter and olive oil and heat, then add the onion and cook until golden brown and softening. While doing this, add 1/2 cup beef stock to the corn starch to make a paste.
  • When the onions are cooked, add 2 cups of beef stock to the skillet, the Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and mustard. Bring to a gentle boil and add the cornstarch mixture. Return the meatballs to the pan, reduce the heat to low, simmer for 10 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through sauce is thick, use more beef stock as needed if the sauce is too thick.
  • Serve meatballs and the gravy over pasta and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley.

Notes

Only thing pricey here is the ground beef. At about 250 Baht/kilo, this comes out to about 75 cents per serving for 10 servings. Great value.
Shortcuts: Seasoned Breadcrumbs, Tomato Ketchup.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,MEATBALLS
Chicken Meatballs in Parmesan Cream Sauce
July 31, 2016 Lee
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Chicken Meatballs in Parmesan Cream Sauce

These sound really good! A must try for me. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs

  • 500 grams ground chicken
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 onion, finely chopped
  • 3/4 cup breadcrumbs, OR make from a shortcut on this site
  • 2 spring onions, chopped
  • 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated or shaved

Additional Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 1/2 onion, diced
  • 2 teaspoons flour
  • 1 3/4 cups chicken stock, fresh or made from powder
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream, OR make from a shortcut on this site
  • 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated or shaved
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • prepared pasta or mashed potatoes, to serve with

Instructions
 

  • Combine all of the meatball ingredients into a mixing bowl. Use your hands to mix or just a large spoon, do not over mix.
  • Wet hands with some water and roll out meatball mixture into balls, make about 1 1/2 inches in diameter, like golf ball size.
  • Brown meatballs on all sides in large non stick pan over medium-high heat in olive oil. You may have to do this in batches. Remove the meatballs when browned, place on a plate and set aside.
  • Using the same pan, fry the onion and garlic until soft, then sprinkle with flour, stir, and cook a few minutes more. Then whisk in the chicken stock until no lumps remain, then whisk in the heavy cream or milk.
  • Turn heat down to low. Sauce should barely be simmering. Stir in 3/4 of a cup of Parmesan cheese and a good pinch of black pepper. Check for seasoning. Add salt if it needed. Place the meatballs into the simmering sauce and simmer for 10 - 15 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through and sauce has thickened.
  • Serve over pasta of your choice or mashed or boiled potatoes.

Notes

Chicken will cost about 32 Baht/500 grams. The Parmesan cheese however, will cost about 280+ Baht for grated, solid cheese you need to shave, even more. This comes to about $2.30 per serving for 4 servings. Costly but would be a good once a month meal.
Shortcuts: Breadcrumbs, Heavy Cream.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving,MEATBALLS
Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
December 2, 2015 Lee
2 Comments

Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

I make these little meatballs whenever we have guests – mostly when we get together to watch sport or when we’re having a games evening. I serve them with a dipping sauce, try chili garlic sauce (Sriracha sauce). No pricing or measurements are given, how many you make is up to you for the people you have over. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 0

Ingredients
  

  • minced chicken
  • 1 onion, diced, if making a lot, use another onion as well
  • Parmesan cheese, lots (recommended by Lee), grated
  • dry bread crumbs, OR make from a shortcut listed on this site
  • garlic, finely minced
  • parsley, fresh or dried is up to you
  • 1 egg, if making a lot, use another egg
  • chili flakes, optional
  • ketchup, OR make from a shortcut on this site

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 230 C. Line a baking sheet with foil.
  • Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Form mixture into balls, size is up to you, and place each meatball on the baking sheet.
  • Brush each meatball with ketchup OR chili garlic sauce. Bake for 15 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven, top each meatball with more cheese and return to the oven for another 5 minutes. Enjoy.

Notes

The bulk of the cost is the minced chicken and the Parmesan cheese, you can make a little amount or a large amount, all up to what your intention is. Here is some suggestions:
  1. Serve as a snack during a sports game on TV, Sriracha chili garlic sauce, or a sweet and sour sauce would be great for dipping.
  2. Bake but do not add cheese in the last step, just bake for a few more minutes, add to an Alfredo sauce and spoon over pasta of your choice.
  3. Make a large batch and serve with buttered egg noodles and a vegetable.
Overall, the ingredients are minimal so easily less than $1 per serving.
Shortcuts: Breadcrumbs, Ketchup.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Denise Georgiades.
South Africa.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,MEATBALLS