What's the secret ingredient in these cakes? Pudding mix. It not only adds flavor but it gives the cake a richer, creamier texture. No one will know your secret ingredient!

This dish combines ground beef and onions with a bit of zing from beer and spicy V-8 juice. The meatballs are easy to make and slow-cooked in a tangy sauce for a hearty meal.

3 pounds lean ground beef
1 cup chopped onions, divided
1/2 cup fine dry seasoned bread crumbs
3 eggs
1 can (12 ounce size) beer
1 can (6 ounce size) spicy V-8 vegetable juice or use regular V-8
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon hot sauce
salt and pepper, to taste
1 bottle (14 to 16 ounce size) ketchup
1 teaspoon horseradish
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Combine ground beef, 1/2 the onions, seasoned bread crumbs, and eggs. Make the mixture into small meatballs. Cook meatballs in a large skillet, turning to brown all sides, or bake in the oven until browned, about 30 minutes at 375 degrees F. Drain meatballs and discard fat.
In a saucepan combine remaining ingredients. Simmer for 15 minutes. Put meatballs and sauce into slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 3 to 6 hours. Gently stir the meatballs occasionally.
To make them more saucy, add a little more ketchup and V-8, along with seasonings, to taste.
Golden, Columbia, South Carolina USA
What's the secret ingredient in these cakes? Pudding mix. It not only adds flavor but it gives the cake a richer, creamier texture. No one will know your secret ingredient!
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reviews & comments
November 2, 2013
Good and spicy!! Loved this recipe and will make again soon. It makes a good size for a party but I could see having to double it next time because it went so fast.
August 19, 2013
You honestly don't taste the beer in this unless you use something really strong. It gets most of the flavor from the v8 juice. Very good tender meatballs though. If you don't want to bother with the beer you could just use beef broth in place of it.