BBQ Meatballs Mashed Potatoes

Featured in: Comfort Baking

This dish features tender beef meatballs gently glazed in a smoky barbecue sauce that adds depth and warmth. Accompanied by creamy mashed potatoes whipped smooth with butter and milk, this meal offers a comforting balance of rich flavors and textures. The meatballs are seasoned with aromatic garlic, onion, and a touch of fresh parsley, while the sauce blends ketchup, Worcestershire, and smoked paprika for a smoky, slightly tangy finish. Perfectly baked and served warm, it's an easy and satisfying main course ideal for family dinners or casual gatherings.

Updated on Sat, 15 Nov 2025 14:25:00 GMT
Golden-brown BBQ meatballs smothered in tangy sauce, paired with fluffy mashed potatoes, a classic comfort meal. Pin
Golden-brown BBQ meatballs smothered in tangy sauce, paired with fluffy mashed potatoes, a classic comfort meal. | cinnamonnest.com

Tender beef meatballs glazed in smoky BBQ sauce, served over creamy mashed potatoes for a comforting, family-friendly meal.

One chilly evening, I made these BBQ meatballs & mashed potatoes for my family, and everyone agreed it was the ultimate comfort meal. The smoky sauce with creamy potatoes created a dish my kids now request regularly.

Ingredients

  • For the Meatballs: 500 g ground beef, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, 1 large egg, 1/4 cup milk, 1 small onion (finely diced), 2 cloves garlic (minced), 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped, optional)
  • For the BBQ Sauce: 1 cup BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade), 2 tbsp ketchup, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • For the Mashed Potatoes: 1 kg potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet, peeled and cubed), 60 g unsalted butter, 1/2 cup milk (warm), salt and pepper to taste
  • Garnish: Chopped fresh chives or parsley (optional)

Instructions

Prepare for baking:
Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix the meatball ingredients:
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and parsley. Mix until just combined.
Form meatballs:
Shape mixture into 16 meatballs and place on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake meatballs:
Bake meatballs for 15 minutes.
Make BBQ sauce:
Whisk together BBQ sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika in a small bowl.
Glaze meatballs:
Remove meatballs from oven, transfer to an oven-safe casserole dish, and pour BBQ sauce mixture over them. Toss gently to coat.
Bake again:
Return meatballs to oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, until glazed and cooked through.
Boil potatoes:
While meatballs bake, place potatoes in a large pot, cover with salted water, and bring to a boil. Cook 15<18 minutes until fork-tender.
Mash potatoes:
Drain potatoes and return to pot. Add butter and warm milk. Mash until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve:
Spoon mashed potatoes onto plates, top with BBQ meatballs, and drizzle with extra sauce. Garnish with chives or parsley if desired.
Pin
| cinnamonnest.com

My kids love helping to shape the meatballs, and dinners like this are always a hit at our family table. Sharing this recipe brings back memories of cozy weeknights together.

Required Tools

Large mixing bowls, baking sheet, parchment paper, casserole dish, large pot, potato masher, whisk, measuring cups and spoons.

Allergen Information

Contains eggs, dairy, gluten (breadcrumbs), and possible allergens found in BBQ sauce such as soy and mustard. Read all labels carefully.

Nutritional Information

Per serving: Calories: 540, Total Fat: 21 g, Carbohydrates: 58 g, Protein: 26 g.

Smoky BBQ meatballs atop a bed of creamy mashed potatoes, offering a delicious family-style American dinner. Pin
Smoky BBQ meatballs atop a bed of creamy mashed potatoes, offering a delicious family-style American dinner. | cinnamonnest.com

Serve hot for maximum comfort. Enjoy leftovers the next day with a simple green salad.

Recipe FAQ

How do you achieve tender meatballs?

Using a mixture of ground beef, breadcrumbs, and milk helps keep the meatballs moist and tender after baking.

What gives the BBQ sauce its smoky flavor?

Smoked paprika combined with Worcestershire sauce and ketchup creates the smoky, tangy glaze that coats the meatballs.

How can I make the mashed potatoes creamier?

Add warm milk and unsalted butter when mashing, and for extra creaminess, a splash of sour cream can be included.

Can the meat be substituted for other proteins?

Yes, ground turkey or chicken can be used as alternatives while keeping the seasoning and sauces the same.

What sides complement this dish well?

Steamed green beans or a simple fresh salad pair nicely, balancing the richness of the meatballs and potatoes.

How to bake meatballs evenly?

Shape uniform-sized meatballs, bake initially on a lined sheet, then coat with sauce and bake again to glaze and finish cooking.

BBQ Meatballs Mashed Potatoes

Tender beef spheres glazed in smoky sauce served over creamy mashed potatoes, perfect for family meals.

Prep duration
25 min
Cooking duration
35 min
Total duration
60 min

Category Comfort Baking

Difficulty Easy

Origin American

Yield 4 Servings

Dietary requirements None specified

Ingredients

Meatballs

01 1.1 lb ground beef
02 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
03 1 large egg
04 1/4 cup milk
05 1 small onion, finely diced
06 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
09 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

BBQ Sauce

01 1 cup BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade)
02 2 tablespoons ketchup
03 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
04 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Mashed Potatoes

01 2.2 lb potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet), peeled and cubed
02 1/4 cup unsalted butter
03 1/2 cup warm milk
04 Salt and pepper, to taste

Garnish

01 Chopped fresh chives or parsley (optional)

Directions

Step 01

Prepare Oven and Baking Sheet: Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 02

Combine Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, blend ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, diced onion, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and parsley until just combined.

Step 03

Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into 16 evenly sized meatballs and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 04

Initial Meatball Baking: Bake the meatballs for 15 minutes in the preheated oven.

Step 05

Prepare BBQ Sauce: While meatballs bake, whisk together BBQ sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika in a small bowl.

Step 06

Glaze Meatballs: Transfer the baked meatballs to an ovenproof casserole dish and pour the BBQ sauce mixture over them, gently tossing to coat evenly.

Step 07

Final Baking Stage: Return the glazed meatballs to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes until fully cooked and coated with a glossy glaze.

Step 08

Cook Potatoes: Place peeled and cubed potatoes in a large pot, cover with salted water, and bring to a boil. Simmer for 15 to 18 minutes, or until tender when pierced with a fork.

Step 09

Mash Potatoes: Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Add butter and warm milk, then mash until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 10

Serve: Plate a generous portion of mashed potatoes, top with BBQ meatballs, drizzle with extra sauce, and garnish with chopped chives or parsley if desired.

Necessary tools

  • Large mixing bowls
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Ovenproof casserole dish
  • Large pot
  • Potato masher
  • Whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Allergy information

Review ingredients carefully for potential allergens and consult with a healthcare provider if you're uncertain.
  • Contains eggs, dairy, gluten, and potential allergens in BBQ sauce such as soy and mustard.

Nutritional information (per serving)

These values are approximate guidelines only and shouldn't replace professional medical advice.
  • Calories: 540
  • Fat: 21 g
  • Carbs: 58 g
  • Protein: 26 g