Thrifty Meatball Recipes

Meatball recipes are terrific for so many reasons.

First of all, ground beef recipes are usually really tasty and this one is no exception.

Because ground beef is not expensive compared with other cuts of beef, meatballs are also often budget recipes.

Meatballs are also thrifty because they let you stretch the servings out. A pound of ground beef made can serve 4 to 6 people instead of 2 to 3 servings in a comparable amount of steak.

I love cooking with ground beef because it is so versatile.

This recipe is one that shows you the versatility and delicious results you can get from the lowly meatball.

Served with a side dish vegetable, a salad and a piece of crusty bread, it makes a great easy dinner recipe.

Thrifty Meatballs

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 1 hour, 15 minutes

1 pound ground beef
1/4 cup uncooked rice
1/4 cup onion
1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/3 cup milk
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup crushed crackers
2 teaspoons oil or shortening
1 can tomatoes
1 can cream of mushroom soup
3/4 cup hot water

Combine the ground beef, rice, onion, poultry seasoning, milk, salt, pepper and crackers. Shape into balls and brown in oil or shortening. Add the tomatoes, cream of mushroom soup and hot water.

Using an electric frying pan to cook the meatballs, cook them covered, at 340°F for 1 1/4 hours. If you use a regular frying pan, cook them at medium low checking and stirring them often.

Serves 4 to 6

Cuisinart completes your kitchen with its new countertop appliances. Part of this new series is its large electric skillet with a 12"x5" cooking surface that's big enough for family breakfasts or a large pot roast with vegetables. With the temperature probe removed, the entire skillet is dishwasher-safe. Cuisinart 18x15-in. Nonstick Electric Skillet

• The recipe calls for a can of cream of mushroom soup, but you can substitute the cream soup of your choice. Cream of celery, asparagus or broccoli would work well too.