Description
These Coca Cola meatballs are tender, juicy, and simmered in a sweet and tangy sauce made with cola and ketchup. Perfect for parties, potlucks, or an easy family dinner!
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 2 lbs ground beef (or half beef, half pork)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 small onion, finely minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
For the Sauce
- 2 cups Coca Cola (not diet)
- 1 1/2 cups ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (optional, for depth)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, milk, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and parsley. Mix gently until just combined.
- Roll mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place on prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes, until cooked through.
- While meatballs bake, whisk together Coca Cola, ketchup, Worcestershire, brown sugar, and soy sauce in a large pot or skillet. Bring to a simmer.
- Add baked meatballs to sauce and simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens and coats meatballs.
- Serve hot as an appetizer or over rice/noodles as a meal.
Notes
- Make ahead: meatballs can be baked and frozen, then simmered in sauce when ready to serve.
- Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a sweet-spicy kick.
- Great in the slow cooker: place baked meatballs and sauce in slow cooker and heat on low for 2–3 hours.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Appetizer / Main Dish
- Method: Baked + Stovetop (or Slow Cooker)
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
