Easy Ground Beef Meatballs and Gravy Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
