Sweet and Savory Glazed Meatballs

Sweet and Savory Glazed Meatballs

Ingredients:

**For the Meatballs:**
– 1 lb ground beef
– 1/2 lb ground pork
– 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1/4 cup milk
– 1 large egg
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tsp salt
– 1/2 tsp black pepper
– 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (optional)
– 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley (optional)

**For the Glaze:**
– 1/2 cup brown sugar
– 1/2 cup ketchup
– 1/4 cup soy sauce
– 1/4 cup honey
– 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1/2 tsp ground ginger
– 1/2 tsp black pepper
– 1 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
– 1 tbsp water (optional, for thickening)

Instructions:

1. **Prepare the Meatballs:**
– Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
– In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, milk, egg, minced garlic, salt, pepper, dried Italian herbs, and chopped parsley. Mix until well combined.
– Form the mixture into small meatballs (about 1 inch in diameter) and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
– Bake the meatballs for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through and browned.

2. **Prepare the Glaze:**
– In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, ground ginger, and black pepper.
– Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
– If you prefer a thicker glaze, mix the cornstarch and water together to create a slurry, then add it to the saucepan and stir until the glaze thickens.

3. **Coat the Meatballs:**
– Once the meatballs are cooked, transfer them to a large mixing bowl.
– Pour the glaze over the meatballs and toss gently to coat them evenly.

4. **Serve:**
– Transfer the glazed meatballs to a serving dish.
– Garnish with additional chopped parsley if desired.

Enjoy your sweet and savory glazed meatballs!