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Easy Ground Beef Meatballs with Rich Gravy Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 60 reviews

This Easy Ground Beef Meatballs and Gravy recipe offers a delicious homemade twist on a classic comfort dish. Juicy meatballs are gently browned and then simmered in a rich, savory beef and chicken broth-based gravy with caramelized onions and flavorful spices. Perfect for a family-friendly meal served over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice, this recipe is budget-friendly, simple to prepare, and makes excellent leftovers.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs

  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1.75 lbs 80/20 ground beef
  • 1/2 yellow onion, finely diced
  • 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 chopped parsley

Gravy

  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 1.5 tbsp unsalted butter (preferably Kerrygold)
  • 1.25 cups chicken broth
  • 1.25 cups beef broth
  • 1 beef bouillon cube
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1.5 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 drops kitchen bouquet (optional, for color)
  • 1/4 cup cold water
  • 3 tbsp cornstarch

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatball Mixture and Shape: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, finely minced garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, ketchup, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, parsley, and finely diced 1/2 yellow onion. Mix gently with your hands until just combined to avoid dense meatballs. Wet your hands with cold water and roll the mixture into 24-26 meatballs about 1.5 inches in diameter for uniform size.
  2. Brown the Meatballs: Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Working in batches, add 5-6 meatballs without overcrowding and brown them for about 2 minutes per side until golden brown crust forms. Transfer to a plate and repeat with remaining meatballs. This step flavors but does not fully cook the meatballs.
  3. Build the Gravy Base with Caramelized Onions: In the same skillet, do not clean it to retain browned bits, melt 1.5 tablespoons unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the diced medium yellow onion and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft, golden, and caramelized. This slow cooking releases natural sweetness and deep flavor.
  4. Create the Braising Liquid: Pour 1.25 cups chicken broth and 1.25 cups beef broth into the skillet with caramelized onions. Crumble in the beef bouillon cube and add onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and kitchen bouquet. Stir thoroughly to dissolve the bouillon and combine flavors. Bring to a gentle boil to start reducing and intensifying the liquid.
  5. Thicken the Gravy and Return Meatballs: While the gravy boils, combine 3 tablespoons cornstarch with 1/4 cup cold water in a small container and mix until smooth with no lumps. Slowly pour this slurry into the boiling gravy while stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Stir for 1-2 minutes until the gravy thickens. Return all browned meatballs to the skillet and gently stir to coat them evenly in the thickened gravy.
  6. Simmer and Finish: Reduce heat to low and let meatballs simmer gently in the gravy uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking and coating. This finishes cooking the meatballs and lets flavors meld. Let the dish rest for a few minutes after simmering to allow flavors to settle and meatballs to become tender before serving.

Notes

  • Use 80/20 ground beef (80% lean, 20% fat) for juicy, flavorful meatballs that hold together well.
  • Avoid overmixing the meat mixture to keep meatballs tender instead of dense.
  • Cook meatballs in batches to prevent overcrowding the pan and ensure proper browning.
  • Always mix cornstarch with cold water before adding to hot liquids to avoid lumps.
  • Caramelizing onions fully (about 15 minutes) is essential for deep, sweet gravy flavor.
  • Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
  • Reheat gently on stovetop over medium-low heat to maintain gravy smoothness. Add broth if gravy thickens too much.
  • Kitchen bouquet is optional and used only for gravy color; skipping it won’t affect flavor.
  • Substitute breadcrumbs with gluten-free options like almond flour or oats if needed.
  • Ground turkey or pork can be used but may require slight moisture adjustments to prevent dryness.

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

Find it online: https://dylangranv.com/easy-ground-beef-meatballs-with-rich-gravy-recipe-2/