Easy Ground Beef Meatballs and Gravy Recipe

Introduction

These easy ground beef meatballs in rich, savory gravy make a comforting and satisfying meal. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, they combine tender meatballs with a flavorful homemade gravy that’s sure to please the whole family.

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1.75 lbs ground beef
• 1/2 yellow onion
• 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 pepper
• 2 tsp parsley
• 1 medium yellow onion
• 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. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, ketchup, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and parsley. Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Roll into 24-26 meatballs about 1.5 inches in diameter, wetting your hands with cold water to prevent sticking.
2. Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Working in batches, brown 5-6 meatballs for 2 minutes on each side until golden crust forms. Transfer browned meatballs to a plate.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Dice the medium yellow onion and cook in the skillet for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden.
4. Step 4: Add chicken broth, beef broth, crumbled bouillon cube, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and kitchen bouquet to the skillet. Stir well and bring to a gentle boil to dissolve bouillon and begin reducing.
5. Step 5: In a small container, combine cornstarch and cold water, shaking until smooth. Slowly pour the slurry into the boiling gravy, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Continue stirring until gravy thickens.
6. Step 6: Return browned meatballs to the skillet, gently coating them in gravy. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until meatballs are cooked through and flavors meld.
7. Step 7: Let the dish rest for a few minutes off heat before serving to allow flavors to settle and texture to tenderize.

Tips & Variations

• Wet your hands with cold water before rolling meatballs to keep them smooth and prevent sticking.
• For extra flavor, add a splash of soy sauce or a teaspoon of smoked paprika to the meatball mixture.
• You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for beef for a lighter option.
• If kitchen bouquet is unavailable, a splash of soy sauce or browning sauce can add similar color and depth.
• Serve meatballs and gravy over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles for a complete meal.

Storage

Store leftover meatballs and gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally, or in the microwave until warmed through. If gravy thickens too much when stored, add a splash of broth or water while reheating to loosen it.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I freeze the meatballs and gravy?

Yes, you can freeze the cooked meatballs and gravy in a sealed container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating gently on the stove.

How do I prevent meatballs from falling apart while cooking?

Mix the ingredients gently and avoid overworking the meat. Using breadcrumbs and egg helps bind the mixture, and browning the meatballs before simmering in gravy helps them hold together.

Easy Ground Beef Meatballs and Gravy Recipe

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4.8 from 92 reviews

This recipe for Easy Ground Beef Meatballs and Gravy combines juicy, flavorful meatballs with a rich, savory gravy made from caramelized onions, broth, and spices. Perfectly browned meatballs are simmered in a luscious homemade gravy, making it a comforting and satisfying classic dish ideal for weeknight dinners or meal prep.

• Author: Tim
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 40 mins
• Total Time: 55 mins
• Yield: 24–26 meatballs, serves 6-8 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meatballs

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1.75 lbs ground beef
• 1/2 yellow onion (finely minced)
• 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 pepper
• 2 tsp parsley

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: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, finely minced garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, ketchup, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and parsley. Mix gently with your hands until just combined to avoid dense meatballs. Wet your hands slightly with cold water to prevent sticking and roll into approximately 24-26 meatballs about 1.5 inches in diameter.
2. Brown the Meatballs: Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, add 5-6 meatballs and cook for 2 minutes on each side until golden-brown crust forms. Transfer browned meatballs to a plate and repeat with the rest. Meatballs are browned for flavor, not fully cooked yet.
3. Caramelize the Onions: In the same skillet (do not clean), melt 1.5 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add diced medium yellow onion and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft, golden, and caramelized, releasing their natural sweetness to build the gravy base.
4. Make the Gravy Base: Pour chicken broth and beef broth into the skillet with the caramelized onions. Crumble in the beef bouillon cube and add onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and kitchen bouquet. Stir well to dissolve the bouillon. Increase heat to bring the mixture to a gentle boil to activate flavors and slightly reduce the liquid.
5. Thicken the Gravy: In a small container, combine cornstarch with cold water and shake vigorously until smooth and lump-free. Slowly pour the slurry into the boiling gravy while stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Continue stirring for 1-2 minutes until the gravy thickens to desired consistency. Return browned meatballs to the skillet, gently stirring to coat them with gravy.
6. Simmer the Meatballs: Reduce heat to low and let meatballs simmer gently in the gravy for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking and coating. This allows meatballs to cook through and absorb rich gravy flavors. Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving to let flavors settle and texture soften further.

Notes

• Wet your hands with cold water when rolling meatballs to prevent sticking and ensure even shapes.
• Do not overmix the meatball mixture as it can result in tough meatballs.
• Browning the meatballs is essential for flavor but doesn’t cook them through; they finish cooking in the gravy.
• Caramelizing the onions slowly is key for a rich and sweet gravy base.
• Add the cornstarch slurry slowly while stirring to avoid lumps in the gravy.
• Resting the finished dish for a few minutes enhances flavor melding and meatball tenderness.
• Kitchen bouquet is optional but adds beautiful color and deepens gravy flavor.

Keywords: ground beef meatballs, beef meatballs with gravy, easy meatball recipe, stovetop meatballs, caramelized onion gravy, comfort food