Description
This Ultimate Smothered Meatballs recipe features tender, juicy meatballs baked to perfection and smothered in a rich, creamy gravy made with beef broth, heavy cream, and savory seasonings. It’s a comforting and hearty dish perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Gravy
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, bread crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, egg, minced garlic, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined to keep the meatballs tender.
- Shape Meatballs: Form the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake Meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until they are browned on the outside and fully cooked through.
- Sauté Onions: While the meatballs bake, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onions and sauté until they become translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add Flour: Sprinkle the flour over the sautéed onions and stir well to combine. Cook for 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste.
- Make Gravy Base: Gradually whisk in the beef broth, continually stirring as the mixture comes to a simmer. Let it thicken slightly to form the base of the gravy.
- Add Cream and Sauce: Stir in the heavy cream and Worcestershire sauce. Continue stirring until the gravy is smooth, thickened, and heated through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine Meatballs and Gravy: Once the meatballs are baked, add them to the skillet with the gravy. Gently stir to coat the meatballs evenly with the creamy sauce.
- Simmer Together: Let the meatballs and gravy simmer together on low heat for an additional 5 minutes to let the flavors meld perfectly.
- Serve: Serve the smothered meatballs hot, garnished with chopped parsley for a fresh finish if desired.
Notes
- For extra tenderness, avoid overmixing the meatball mixture.
- Baking meatballs instead of frying reduces excess grease for a healthier dish.
- The gravy can be adjusted in thickness by adding more or less flour.
- Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious gravy.
- Make ahead tip: Meatballs can be baked and frozen before adding the gravy for a quick meal later.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking and Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (approximately 4-5 meatballs with gravy)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: smothered meatballs, meatballs in gravy, creamy meatballs, baked meatballs, comfort food, easy dinner
