Easy Ground Beef Meatballs and Gravy Recipe

Introduction

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

Ingredients

• 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
• 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. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, finely minced garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, ketchup, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and parsley. Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Roll the mixture into 24–26 meatballs about 1.5 inches in diameter, wetting your hands slightly with cold water to prevent sticking.
2. Step 2: Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Working in batches, brown 5–6 meatballs at a time for 2 minutes on each side until golden. Transfer browned meatballs to a plate and repeat with remaining meatballs.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, melt 1.5 tablespoons unsalted butter over medium heat. Add diced yellow onion and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft and golden.
4. Step 4: Pour chicken broth and beef broth into the skillet with onions. Crumble in the beef bouillon cube and add onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and kitchen bouquet. Stir well and bring to a gentle boil.
5. Step 5: In a small container, mix cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Slowly pour this slurry into the boiling gravy while stirring constantly. Cook for 1–2 minutes until the gravy thickens.
6. Step 6: Return browned meatballs to the skillet, stirring gently to coat them in gravy. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7. Step 7: Let the dish rest a few minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and the meatballs to become tender.

Tips & Variations

• For a lighter version, substitute half the ground beef with ground turkey or chicken.
• Using fresh parsley adds brightness; you can also swap it with dried Italian herbs if needed.
• Kitchen bouquet is optional but adds a nice depth and color to the gravy.
• Serve meatballs over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg 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 stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally to maintain the gravy’s smooth texture. You can also freeze for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these meatballs ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare and shape the meatballs in advance and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before cooking. Alternatively, brown them ahead and store separately before finishing in the gravy.

What if I don’t have kitchen bouquet?

You can omit kitchen bouquet or substitute with a small splash of soy sauce or additional Worcestershire sauce for depth and color in the gravy.

Easy Ground Beef Meatballs and Gravy Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 65 reviews

This Easy Ground Beef Meatballs and Gravy recipe features perfectly tender and flavorful meatballs simmered in a rich, savory homemade gravy. The meatballs are browned to golden perfection before being cooked through in a deeply seasoned gravy made with caramelized onions, beef and chicken broth, and a blend of spices. It’s a comforting, hearty dish ideal for family meals and pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes or buttered noodles.

• Author: Anna
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• 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 cold water
• 3 tbsp cornstarch

Instructions

1. Prepare the meatball mixture: In a large bowl, combine 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 and roll the mixture into approximately 24-26 meatballs about 1.5 inches in diameter.
2. Brown the meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. In batches of 5-6, add meatballs and cook for 2 minutes on each side until golden-brown crust forms. Transfer browned meatballs to a plate. This browning adds flavor but does not fully cook the meatballs.
3. Caramelize the onions: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add diced medium yellow onion and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft and golden, releasing their natural sugars to form a sweet flavor base for the gravy.
4. Make the gravy base: Pour chicken and beef broth into the skillet with caramelized onions. Crumble in beef bouillon cube and add onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and kitchen bouquet. Stir well to dissolve bouillon. Bring mixture to a gentle boil to activate flavors and slightly reduce the liquid.
5. Thicken the gravy: Mix cornstarch and cold water in a small container until smooth. Slowly pour slurry into boiling gravy while stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Continue stirring 1-2 minutes until gravy thickens.
6. Simmer meatballs in gravy: Return browned meatballs to the skillet, gently coating them with gravy. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking and flavor absorption. Let the dish rest a few minutes after simmering for best texture and flavor melding.

Notes

• Wet your hands with cold water when rolling meatballs to prevent sticking and create smooth uniform shapes.
• Do not overmix the meatball mixture to avoid tough meatballs.
• Caramelizing onions slowly enhances their sweetness and depth of flavor in the gravy.
• Kitchen bouquet adds color and a subtle rich flavor to the gravy; it can be omitted if unavailable.
• Simmering meatballs in gravy ensures they cook fully and absorb delicious flavors.
• Serve with mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, or rice for a complete comforting meal.

Keywords: ground beef meatballs, homemade gravy, comfort food, easy meatballs, stovetop meatballs, caramelized onion gravy