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Mississippi Meatballs

Mississippi Meatballs
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Mississippi Meatballs are juicy, tender meatballs cooked in a rich, buttery sauce infused with ranch dressing mix, au jus gravy mix, jalapeños, and brown sugar for a perfect blend of salty, tangy, and mildly spicy flavors. Ideal for a comforting family dinner, this easy recipe can be made in a slow cooker or baked in the oven and serves well with a variety of sides like mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatball Ingredients

  • 1 lb (450g) fresh 80/20 ground beef
  • 1 packet ranch dressing mix (approx. 1 oz)

Sauce Ingredients

  • 1 packet au jus gravy mix (approx. 1 oz)
  • 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar
  • 4–5 jalapeños, diced (adjust to taste)
  • 8 tbsp (1 stick or 113g) unsalted butter, cut into pats (room temperature preferred)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef with the ranch dressing mix. Mix gently until the seasoning is evenly distributed, being careful not to overwork the meat. Shape the mixture into bite-sized meatballs roughly 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter.
  2. Place Meatballs in Cooking Vessel: Arrange the meatballs evenly in a slow cooker or casserole dish, placing them close together but not overcrowded to ensure even cooking and sauce absorption.
  3. Add the Sauce Components: Sprinkle the au jus gravy mix, brown sugar, and diced jalapeños directly over the meatballs. Distribute pats of butter evenly around and on top of the meatballs to melt into the sauce as it cooks.
  4. Cook Hours to Perfection: For slow cooker, set it on low and cook for 4 to 6 hours until meatballs are tender and sauce thickens. Alternatively, bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30 to 40 minutes until cooked through and sauce is bubbly.
  5. Serve and Enjoy: Gently stir the meatballs and sauce before serving to coat each meatball well. Serve hot with your favorite sides such as mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles.

Notes

  • Do not overmix the ground beef to keep meatballs tender and juicy.
  • Use room temperature butter to ensure even melting and rich sauce.
  • Adjust jalapeño quantity based on your preferred heat level.
  • Optionally, brown the meatballs briefly in a skillet before slow cooking for extra texture and flavor.
  • A ceramic slow cooker insert provides better heat distribution and easier cleanup.

Nutrition

Keywords: Mississippi Meatballs, slow cooker meatballs, ranch meatballs, au jus gravy, jalapeño meatballs, Southern comfort food, easy meatballs

Find it online: https://marygourmet.com/mississippi-meatballs/