Ritz Cracker Meatballs
These meatballs are incredibly moist, buttery, and toasty thanks to Ritz crackers. They’re also scented with ketchup, parmesan, herbs, and aromatics, so it’s a meatball party on the palate. Appetizer, party fare, game day grub, dinner (over mashed potatoes or buttered noodles) – these meatballs are always a hit.
These meatballs were so amazing, I didn’t quite know how to serve them. It’s the Ritz crackers that change the game; they add their classic butter/toasted cracker flavor and keep the meatballs moist. These meatballs are perfectly amazing on their own – they really need nothing else – which makes them great as a party appetizer. I decided to serve buttered noodles and gravy on the side, but to be honest, they weren’t needed. To round out the meal, you can serve these meatballs with pasta, rice, potatoes, and/or your favorite grain, and a quick veggie (I served my meatballs with egg noodles and steamed broccoli).
Here’s how you make these amazing meatballs:
- Combine all the ingredients in a bowl.
- Shape into meatballs.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes and serve.
I know! It’s so simple! And most ingredients are pantry staples.
If you want to serve the meatballs with a “sauce”: I recommend your favorite store-bought marinara sauce or gravy, or my quick-and-easy homemade beef gravy* (recipe below).
You can also make these meatballs with ground chicken and ground turkey. I realize that ground beef is ultra-affordable and readily available, but if you don’t have it, or want poultry instead, feel free to swap in ground turkey or ground chicken for the beef.
Ritz Cracker Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup crushed Ritz crackers or crackers of choice, for easy cleanup, crush the crackers in a zip-top freezer bag
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Serving Suggestion
- Buttered noodles, rice, quinoa, couscous, mashed potatoes, or your favorite grain
Beef Gravy (optional)
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste or ketchup
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Shape the mixture into 16 to 18 golf-ball-sized meatballs and transfer them to the prepared pan.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the meatballs are browned and cooked through.
For the Gravy (if making)
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. When the butter is bubbly, whisk in the flour until blended.
- Whisk in the broth and bring to a simmer. Whisk in the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and onion powder and return to a simmer.
- Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes, until the mixture is the consistency of gravy. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.