Italian Appetizers Recipes - Zippy Mini Meatballs

Ingredients

• 1 slightly beaten egg

• 1/3 cup fine dry bread crumbs

• 1 0.7-ounce envelope Italian salad dressing mix

• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 pound lean ground beef

• 8 ounces bulk Italian sausage

• 1/4 cup canned-crushed pineapple, well drained

• 1/4 cup canned diced green chili peppers, well drained

• 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (1 ounce)

• 1/2 cup bottled Italian salad dressing

• 1/2 cup pineapple or plum preserves

• 1/2 cup bottled chili sauce

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Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. For meatballs, in a large bowl combine egg, bread crumbs, dry salad dressing mix, crushed red pepper, and garlic. Add ground beef, Italian sausage, pineapple, chili peppers, and mozzarella cheese; mix well. Shape into 48 meatballs.

2. In a 15x10x1-inch baking pan arrange meatballs in a single layer. Bake for 20 minutes. Drain well. Transfer meatballs to a 3 1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker.

3. For sauce, in a medium bowl combine bottled salad dressing, pineapple preserves, and chili sauce. Pour over meatballs in slow cooker. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 3 to 4 hours or on high-heat setting for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Stir gently before serving. Serve meatballs with toothpicks.