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Easy Ground Beef Meatballs and Gravy Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 88 reviews

This Easy Ground Beef Meatballs and Gravy recipe features tender, flavorful meatballs browned to perfection and simmered in a rich, savory homemade gravy with caramelized onions and a blend of spices. Perfect for a comforting family meal that combines hearty textures with a delicious, thick gravy.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Meatballs:

  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1.75 lbs ground beef
  • 1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
  • 3 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 1 large egg
  • 1.5 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tsp yellow mustard
  • 1.25 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tsp parsley, chopped

For the Gravy:

  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 1.5 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1.25 cup chicken broth
  • 1.25 cup beef broth
  • 1 beef bouillon cube
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1.5 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 drops kitchen bouquet
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 3 tbsp cornstarch

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatball Mixture and Shape: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, finely minced garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, ketchup, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, parsley, and finely chopped yellow onion. Mix gently by hand until just combined to avoid dense meatballs. Wet your hands slightly with cold water, then roll the mixture into 24-26 meatballs about 1.5 inches in diameter for uniform size and smooth texture.
  2. Brown the Meatballs: Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Working in batches of 5-6 meatballs to avoid crowding, cook each batch for 2 minutes per side until golden-brown crust forms. Transfer browned meatballs to a plate. This step adds flavor but does not cook them through; they will finish cooking in the gravy.
  3. Build the Gravy Base with Caramelized Onions: In the same skillet, without cleaning, melt 1.5 tablespoons unsalted butter over medium heat. Add diced medium yellow onion and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until onions are soft and golden, releasing natural sugars for a rich flavor base.
  4. Create the Braising Liquid: Pour chicken broth and beef broth into the skillet with caramelized onions. Crumble in the beef bouillon cube, then add onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and kitchen bouquet. Stir to dissolve the bouillon completely. Increase heat to bring mixture to a gentle boil to activate flavors and slightly reduce the liquid.
  5. Thicken the Gravy and Return Meatballs: While gravy is boiling, mix cornstarch and cold water in a small container until smooth with no lumps. Slowly stir the cornstarch slurry into the boiling gravy to thicken, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Once thickened to desired consistency, gently return browned meatballs to the skillet, coating them evenly in the gravy.
  6. Simmer and Finish: Reduce heat to low and let meatballs simmer in gravy for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally for even cooking. This allows the meatballs to cook through and absorb the flavorful gravy. Let the dish rest a few minutes after simmering to let flavors meld and enhance tenderness before serving.

Notes

  • Do not overmix the meatball mixture to keep them tender.
  • Wetting hands during rolling helps achieve uniform meatballs without sticking.
  • Use the same pan for caramelizing onions and making gravy to utilize browned bits for deeper flavor.
  • Simmer gently to avoid breaking meatballs and to ensure even cooking.
  • Kitchen bouquet adds color and subtle flavor but can be omitted if unavailable.
  • This recipe yields approximately 24-26 meatballs, serving about 7 people.

Keywords: ground beef meatballs, meatballs and gravy, easy meatball recipe, stovetop meatballs, homemade meatball gravy, comfort food, dinner recipe

Find it online: https://liamjayne.com/easy-ground-beef-meatballs-and-gravy-recipe/