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This recipe and photos are courtesy of Cynthia Detterick-Pineda of Andrews, TX. Check out more of Cynthia's Southwest Cooking Recipes.

Ground beef has to be one of the most versatile meat products on the market. Sure, it’s great for casseroles, hamburgers, spaghetti sauces, you name it.  But if you are anything like me, you have opened your pantry, had the blank “what’s for dinner” stare, and been left completely numb as to what to turn that ground beef into.  This recipe is a mix of two southern styles of cooking that can actually be very similar in many ways - Cajun and Southwestern.  It is easy enough to make for a entrée and can be used as a simple appetizer. 

Check out more great Beef Recipes using various cuts of beef.

Sweet and Spicy Mini Meatballs

1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs*
2 tablespoons red chile flakes
1/8 teaspoon of salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
6 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup honey
14 cup soy sauce
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
Cooked Rice (optional - see below)

* Learn how to Make Homemade Bread Crumbs.

Preheat oven to 500 degrees F. Grease a large baking sheet.

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, chile flakes, and salt. 

To make uniform meatballs, pat out the entire meat mixture into a rectangular shape and score the mixture into equal squares of the size desired for the meatballs. Roll each of these “squares” into a ball and place onto the prepared baking sheet. Place in the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until there is no pink in the center of the meatballs.

While the meatballs are baking, start the tomato sauce. In a large saucepan over medium heat, heat the butter and olive oil. Add the minced garlic and sauté until the garlic becomes translucent. Stir in the honey, soy sauce, and tomato sauce; mixing well. Bring just to a low boil and then lower the heat to simmer. When the meatballs are cooked, remove from oven, and then from the baking sheet. Add the cooked meatballs to the sauce mixture; gently stir to coat the meatballs well. Allow the meatballs to simmer over low heat for approximately 15 minutes.