Transform Your Meal Prep: How to Make and Can Perfect Meatballs for Busy Families
In today's fast-paced world, finding time to prepare nutritious meals for your family can be challenging.
Canning homemade meatballs is a fantastic solution that provides convenience, quality, and taste. With small, perfectly-sized meatballs that fit 50 per jar, you can ensure you always have a hearty, home-cooked meal ready to serve. Here's a guide to making and canning meatballs that will delight your family.
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Why Choose Homemade Canned Meatballs?
1. Convenience :
Pre-cooked and canned, these meatballs can be quickly reheated for a meal in minutes.
2. Quality Control :
Homemade meatballs let you choose the best ingredients, avoiding preservatives and unnecessary additives.
3. Economical :
Bulk cooking and canning can save money compared to purchasing pre-made or frozen options.
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4. Family Sized :
Each jar holds 50 small meatballs, making portioning for family meals straightforward and efficient.
Recipe for Homemade Meatballs
Ingredients:
- - 4 pounds ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
- - 2 cups breadcrumbs
- - 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- - 4 large eggs
- - 4 cloves garlic, minced
- - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- - 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- - 1/4 cup milk
- - 2 teaspoons salt
- - 1 teaspoon black pepper
- - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- - 1 teaspoon dried basil
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Instructions:
1. Prepare the Meatball Mixture :
- In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, eggs, garlic, onion, parsley, milk, salt, pepper, oregano, and basil. Mix gently until well combined.
2. Form the Meatballs :
- Using a small cookie scoop or your hands, shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs. This size ensures they will fit 50 per jar and cook evenly.
3. Cook the Meatballs :
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Place the meatballs on baking sheets lined with parchment paper or lightly greased.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, until browned and cooked through.
Canning the Meatballs
Equipment Needed:
- - Pint-sized canning jars (sterilized)
- - Lids and rings
- - Pressure canner
- - Jar lifter
- - Funnel
- - Ladle
Instructions:
1. Sterilize the Jars:
- Sterilize the jars and lids according to the manufacturer's instructions. Keep them warm until ready to use.
2. Prepare the Tomato Sauce :
- While the meatballs are baking, prepare a simple tomato sauce. This will not only preserve the meatballs but also add flavor.
Basic Tomato Sauce Recipe:
- - 4 quarts crushed tomatoes
- - 2 tablespoons olive oil
- - 4 cloves garlic, minced
- - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- - 2 teaspoons salt
- - 1 teaspoon black pepper
- - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- - 1 teaspoon dried basil
Instructions :
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and onion, and sauté until softened.
- Add crushed tomatoes, salt, pepper, oregano, and basil. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes.
3. Fill the Jars :
- Using a jar lifter, carefully remove a hot jar from the canner.
- Add 50 meatballs to each jar.
- Pour the hot tomato sauce over the meatballs, leaving about 1 inch of headspace at the top of the jar.
- Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp cloth.
- Place the lids on the jars and screw on the rings until fingertip tight.
4. Process the Jars :
- Place the filled jars in the pressure canner. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific canner.
- Process the jars at 10 pounds of pressure for 75 minutes (adjust for altitude if necessary).
- Once the processing time is complete, turn off the heat and let the canner cool down completely before removing the jars.
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5. Store the Jars:
- Check that each jar is sealed properly (the lid should not flex up and down when pressed in the center).
- Store the sealed jars in a cool, dark place. Properly canned meatballs can last up to a year.
Serving Suggestions
Spaghetti and Meatballs:
Heat the meatballs and sauce and serve over cooked spaghetti noodles.
Meatball Subs:
Warm the meatballs and sauce and serve on toasted hoagie rolls with melted mozzarella cheese.
Meatball Soup:
Add the meatballs to a vegetable broth with some pasta and veggies for a quick, nourishing soup.
Appetizers:
Serve the meatballs with toothpicks and a side of marinara sauce for dipping at your next gathering.
With these homemade canned meatballs, you'll always have a delicious, family-sized meal ready to go.
Enjoy the convenience and savor the flavor of your hard work!
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