Barbecue Feast: Sweet Ribs, BBQ Meatballs, Baked Beans, Deviled Eggs, and Mac & Cheese

1. Sweet Ribs

Ingredients:

• 2 racks of baby back ribs
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup barbecue sauce (your favorite)
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
2. Remove the silver skin from the ribs and season them generously with salt and pepper.
3. Mix the barbecue sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika in a small bowl.
4. Brush the ribs with the sauce mixture and place them on a baking sheet lined with foil.
5. Cover the ribs with foil and bake in the oven for 2.5–3 hours until tender.
6. Once cooked, remove the ribs, brush them with more sauce, and finish them on the grill for 5–10 minutes to caramelize the sauce and add a smoky flavor.
7. Slice and serve!

2. BBQ Meatballs

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1 cup barbecue sauce

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, milk, egg, garlic powder, and onion powder.
3. Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on a lined baking sheet.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until browned and cooked through.
5. Heat the barbecue sauce in a pan, then toss the meatballs in the sauce to coat.
6. Serve hot with extra sauce on the side!

3. Baked Beans

Ingredients:

• 2 cans (15 oz each) baked beans
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp mustard

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a medium saucepan, sauté diced onion until softened.
3. Add baked beans, brown sugar, ketchup, BBQ sauce, smoked paprika, black pepper, and mustard to the pan and stir to combine.
4. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and cover with foil.
5. Bake for 40 minutes, stirring halfway through.
6. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes to let the top get slightly crispy.
7. Serve hot and enjoy!

4. Deviled Eggs

Ingredients:

• 6 large eggs
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp pickle relish
• 1 tsp white vinegar
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Paprika for garnish

Instructions:

1. Boil the eggs in water for about 10 minutes. Cool them under cold running water, then peel the eggs.
2. Slice the eggs in half and remove the yolks.
3. Mash the yolks with mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, pickle relish, and white vinegar. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Spoon or pipe the mixture back into the egg whites.
5. Sprinkle with a dash of paprika for garnish.
6. Serve chilled!

5. Mac & Cheese

Ingredients:

• 8 oz elbow macaroni
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute.
3. Gradually whisk in milk and cook until the mixture thickens (about 3-5 minutes).
4. Remove the pan from heat and stir in the cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese until smooth and melted.
5. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
6. Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to coat.
7. Serve hot with extra cheese on top if desired!

Serving Suggestions:

• Serve all these dishes with a side of cornbread or garlic bread for a complete BBQ experience.
• You can also add a refreshing coleslaw or a green salad to balance out the richness of the meal.