By preparing and pre-cooking the meatballs at home, you’ll have a delicious, ready-to-heat meal that’s perfect after a day of hiking or outdoor activities. The aroma of these herb-infused meatballs simmering in rich marinara sauce will make your campsite the envy of fellow campers.

Versatile and satisfying, these meatballs can be served over pasta, in sandwiches, or enjoyed on their own for a hearty camping dinner.

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Make-Ahead Campfire Meatballs

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Keyword Meatballs

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

At Campsite 15 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Calories 400kcal

Ingredients

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 jar 24 oz marinara sauce

Instructions

• At home, mix all ingredients except marinara sauce.
• Form into 24 meatballs.
• Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes.
• Cool and store in an airtight container.
• At campsite, heat meatballs with sauce in a pot over the campfire.

Notes

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: 400
• Protein: 28g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Fat: 24g
• Fiber: 2g

Cooking Tips:

• Use lean ground beef to reduce grease.
• Don’t overmix the meat to keep meatballs tender.

Equipment Needed:

• Pot for reheating
• Airtight container for storage
• Cooler

Possible Substitutions:

• Use ground turkey for a leaner option
• Try different sauces like BBQ or sweet and sour
• Add vegetables like bell peppers or onions to the sauce