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    Home » Recipes » Beef

    Smoked Italian Meatballs

    Modified: Jan 30, 2023 · Published: May 20, 2019 by Kristin · This post may contain affiliate links. · Leave a Comment

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    Smoked Italian Meatballs are tender, flavorful, and smoked rather than baked! Enjoy in your spaghetti dinner or as an appetizer!

    Italian meatballs rolled and prepared for the smoker

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    • Smoked Italian Meatballs
    • Ingredients Needed for these Smoked Italian Meatballs
    • How to prepare:
    • Other tasty smoker recipes to try:
    • Smoked Italian Meatballs

    Smoked Italian Meatballs

    About 5 years ago, I bought my hubby a smoker for Father’s Day and since then, it has been the best investment! From ribs, to pizza, steaks, and now meatballs…. everything that comes off there, is a hit! Well, okay, early on, probably a few misses too (learning curves, right??).

    Last week, I planned on keeping dinner simple. I typically make meatballs and keep them in the freezer for simple dinners. That was my plan for dinner until I realized I never made another batch after using the rest up earlier. Well, I whipped up the meat and formed them, ready for the oven. My hubby saw them ready to go and had the idea to smoke them rather than bake.

    Intrigued with the idea, I went along with it and sure enough, he had quite the genius idea!

    The wood pellets added such a smoky flavor, it really enhanced the meatballs! I served them in a tomato vodka sauce over pasta, but these could definitely be enjoyed as an appetizer or snack without sauce!

    Even my three kids enjoyed theirs and asked for seconds!

    Tender meat, combined with an assortment of seasonings! Formed into balls and cooked on the smoker! Who knew that Smoked Italian Meatballs would be better than baked?!?!

    meatballs being cooked on the smoker

    Ingredients Needed for these Smoked Italian Meatballs

    Ground Beef- I tend to use 80/20, feel free to use what you have on hand

    White Bread- just one slice is needed

    Milk

    Salt/Pepper

    Onion Powder

    Minced Garlic- fresh or store bought

    Italian Seasoning

    Parmesan Cheese- yep, the green can is what I use. Fresh works too though

    Breadcrumbs– I use Italian seasoned breadcrumbs

    smoked meatballs cooked and ready to serve

    How to prepare:

    In a medium bowl, add all listed ingredients.
    Using hands, mix ingredients until all is combined.
    Roll meat into golf ball sized meatballs and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet.
    Place cookie sheet onto preheated smoker and smoke for about 25 minutes.
    Turn meatballs over and bump smoker to 325 degrees.
    Cook an additional 25 minutes, or until internal meat temperature is 160 degrees.
    Remove from smoker and serve in spaghetti or as is. Enjoy!

    Other tasty smoker recipes to try:

    Smoked Cheesy Bread

    Texas Twinkies

    Smoked BBQ Baby Back Ribs

    Crispy Smoked Chicken Tenders

    Tennessee Smoked Chicken

    meatballs covered in pasta sauce and served over tender noodles

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    Smoked Italian Meatballs

    Recipe by: Kristin
    Smoked Italian Meatballs are tender, flavorful, and smoked rather than baked! Enjoy in your spaghetti dinner or as an appetizer!
    4.34 from 3 votes
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    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 55 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr
    Course Appetizer, Main Course
    Servings 6
    Calories 249 kcal

    Equipment

    • Smoker
    • Cookie Sheet
    • Mixing Bowls

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 lb ground beef
    • 1 slice white bread
    • ¼ cup milk
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
    • 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
    • ¼ cup Italian breadcrumbs

    Instructions
     

    • In a medium bowl, add all listed ingredients.
    • Using hands, mix ingredients until all is combined.
    • Roll meat into golf ball sized meatballs and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet.
    • Place cookie sheet onto preheated smoker and smoke for about 25 minutes.
    • Turn meatballs over and bump smoker to 325 degrees.
    • Cook an additional 25 minutes, or until internal meat temperature is 160 degrees.
    • Remove from smoker and serve in spaghetti or as is. Enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 249kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 16gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 59mgSodium: 602mgPotassium: 257mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 74IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 94mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @TheCookinChicks or tag #TheCookinChicks!

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    4.34 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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    Welcome to The Cookin' Chicks…I am so glad you've stopped by! I am Kristin, a busy mom of 3, a wife, and a family chef! There are three things that motivate me each day - Family, Faith, and FOOD! I, along with the occasional help of friends and family, want to share my food creations with you! So, I invite you to join me around my dinner table through the recipes that I will share with you here. I hope you will enjoy the journey as much as I do!

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