Ingredients
— The Meatballs —
1 lb (450g) lean ground beef
½ cup Panko breadcrumbs (or plain breadcrumbs)
1 large egg
1 tablespoon ketchup
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil (for frying)
— The Mushroom Gravy —
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
8 oz (225g) cremini or white mushrooms, sliced
1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups beef broth (low sodium preferred)
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
1. **Make the Meatballs:** In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, ketchup, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands just until combined (do not overwork). Form into 12–15 medium-sized meatballs.
2. **Sear the Meatballs:** Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs in a single layer (work in batches if needed). Fry for 4–5 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides. They don’t need to be fully cooked through yet. Remove them from the pan and set aside on a plate.
3. **Sauté Veggies:** In the same skillet (don’t wipe it out!), melt the butter. Add the sliced onions and mushrooms. Sauté for 5–7 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, until the onions are soft and mushrooms are browned. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. **Make the Gravy:** Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir well to coat. Cook for 1–2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste. Gradually whisk in the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly until the gravy begins to thicken.
5. **Simmer & Serve:** Return the browned meatballs to the skillet, nesting them into the gravy. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10–12 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and tender. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot over mashed potatoes.
Notes
Meat Choice: Lean ground beef (85/15) works best. If you use a higher fat content, you may need to drain some grease before making the gravy.
Don’t Overmix: When combining the meatball ingredients, mix only until just incorporated. Overmixing can result in tough, rubbery meatballs.
Gravy Thickness: If the gravy gets too thick while simmering, stir in a splash of water or extra beef broth to reach your desired consistency.
Serving Suggestion: The classic pairing is mashed potatoes, but these are also excellent over buttered egg noodles, white rice, or even on a toasted sub roll.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 25
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American