Description
Gravy Lover’s Meatballs are a comforting and delicious dish featuring tender, juicy beef meatballs smothered in a rich, savory homemade beef gravy. Perfect for a hearty meal, these meatballs are browned to perfection on the stovetop and then simmered in a flavorful gravy made with butter, flour, and beef broth, infused with hints of onion and soy sauce for depth. Great served over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice for a classic American comfort food experience.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef
- 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
- 0.25 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons grated onion
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
For the Gravy
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoon soy sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the meatball mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, grated onion, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix gently just until ingredients are evenly incorporated, being careful not to overwork the meat for tender meatballs.
- Shape the meatballs: Form the mixture into 1.5-inch diameter meatballs, aiming for uniform size to ensure even cooking.
- Brown the meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through. This process should take about 10-12 minutes. Once cooked, remove meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the gravy base: In the same skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for about 1 minute until the roux turns lightly golden, which thickens the gravy and removes the raw flour taste.
- Add broth and seasonings: Slowly whisk in the beef broth, stirring constantly to maintain a smooth gravy. Add the onion powder and soy sauce to enhance the umami flavor. Let the gravy simmer gently for 3 to 5 minutes until it thickens to a silky consistency.
- Combine meatballs and gravy: Return the browned meatballs to the skillet, spoon the thickened gravy over them, and simmer for another 5 minutes. This allows the meatballs to absorb the flavors and ensures they are heated through thoroughly.
- Serve: Serve the meatballs hot with plenty of gravy. They pair beautifully with mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice for a comforting meal.
Notes
- This dish pairs wonderfully with creamy mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or steamed rice to soak up the rich gravy.
- For a richer gravy, stir in a splash of heavy cream at the end of cooking.
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or pork for a different flavor profile.
- Make sure not to overmix the meatball mixture to keep the texture tender.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
