Best Meatballs in the World!

Ok, the headline might be a bit of a stretch, but they are really good meatballs and I am willing to share my recipe with you! A few years ago, I saw an advertisement for Dr. Pepper Meatballs, I thought it was strange at first, but then after realizing I use Coke to cook many other things, it would probably be worth a shot. I followed the recipe exactly and they turned out fabulous.

After making them a few times, I had pretty much perfected them, or so I had thought! I decided to tweak them just a bit and add a few of my own ideas and oh my goodness... NOW they are perfect meatballs! 
What you will need for the meatballs
1 lb. Ground beef
1 and 1/2 cup Bread crumbs
1 Egg
Fresh mozzarella balls (marble size)
1 tsp Garlic powder
1/2 tsp Paprika
1/2 tsp Kosher salt
1/2 tsp Freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsp. Olive oil

What you will need for the sauce
2 c. Ketchup
2 cans of Dr. Pepper
2 tbsp. Tomato paste
1/4 cup Brown sugar
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. Onion powder
1/2 tsp Kosher salt
1/2 tsp Freshly ground black pepper

Step 1- In a large bowl, mix together beef, 1/2 cup bread crumbs (set 1 cup bread crumbs aside), egg, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and mix until combined. Form meatballs around the mozzarella balls, making them about ping-pong ball size.

Step 2- In another large bowl, whisk together ketchup, Dr. Pepper, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, onion powder, salt, pepper, and mix until smooth.

Step 3- Using a cake pan, spread the remaining cup of bread crumbs evenly along the bottom. Add your meatballs to the bread crumbs and roll them until the outside is completely (but lightly) coated.

Step 4- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat, add meatballs, and fry until they are brown on all sides.

Step 5- Add sauce to a large crockpot and heat on high. Once your sauce has reached maximum temp, add your meatballs and cover. After one hour, turn the temperature to low heat and let simmer for three more hours. However, if you are short on time, you do not have to use a crockpot! After browning the meatballs you can add the sauce directly into the skillet and let them simmer for 30-40 minutes. I like to use the crockpot and slow cook the flavor of the sauce into the meatballs, but you do have the option to speed up the process if you need.

I hope you enjoy these tasty balls of meat as much as my family and I did!