country style beef meatballs with gravy

Comforting Food

Comforting food is what we turn to in times of stress, turmoil and other emotional things that just make our hearts heavy. Comforting food is healing, I think. Food is healing in general. But, sometimes we need to feed the spirt and soup as well as the body. And, comforting food does that. 

Nothing speaks of comfort food than country style beef meatballs with gravy. Rich and hearty, turning simple ground beef into these tasty meatballs makes you think you’re eating something like prime rib! There’s just enough fat in this 85/15 ground beef to add some deep flavor and after you season with all the ingredients, you take the beef to another level.

Comfort Food Recipes

While meatballs might not be the top comfort food recipe, meatballs with gravy, well, that’s a different matter. Gravy is the perfect accompaniment for these meatballs. And, you want to use the same skillet that you browned the meatballs in because all these drippings, and even small pieces of meat, from turning and frying the meatballs and getting that golden brown exterior become surprise flavoring for the gravy. I served these meatballs in a bowl over some garlic butter mashees. Yes, spuds simmered and mashed then good stuff added. Here’s my recipe for the mashees!

Gravy and Meatballs

For me, this gravy and meatballs recipe is very similar to a regular meatball recipe, whether it’s Italian, Swedish, Turkish, Spanish or another ethnic/cultural variation. You’re gonna start with your ground meats. And, for this recipe, I’m also using some Greek plain yogurt. It’s going to add moisture and make these meatballs tender. Plus, we’ve got some added nutrition. 

Meatballs and Gravy with Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Like meatloaf and mashed potatoes meatballs and gray with mashed potatoes all in one recipe is the ticket to comfort food. 

Enjoy, luvs, and remember, it doesn’t take prime rib to make you happy, it’s the adventure of the imagination that hits the palate with these meatballs!  xoxo  ally

country style beef meatballs with gravy

Yield: 4 delicious servings

Meatballs with gravy is the ultimate comfort food like meatloaf with mashed potatoes. And, these meatballs with gravy are best served with mashed potatoes!

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Ingredients

• Meatballs:
• 4 Tbl. olive oil (divided)
• 3 Tbl. shallots, minced
• 1 Tbl. garlic, minced
• 1 lb. ground beef, 85/15
• 2 eggs, beaten
• ¼ cup Greek plain yogurt
• 2 Tbl. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp. sea salt
• 1 tsp. pepper
• ¼ cup flat parsley, chopped
• 2 Tbl. green onion tops, chopped fine
• 1/3 cup Italian bread crumbs
• Gravy:
• 3 Tbl. butter, can substitute bacon drippings
• 3 Tbl. all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk, 2%
• 2 tsp. Kitchen Bouquet, browning & seasoning sauce (this is optional~I wanted my gravy dark and rich looking. Add one teaspoon at a time, blend and then stop adding when you have the hue that you love.)
• ½ tsp. sea salt
• ½ tsp. pepper

Instructions

In a large (about 10” diameter) heavy cast iron skillet over medium heat, put one tablespoon of oil, shallots and garlic. Sauté about 3-5 minutes. Let cool.

In a large mixing bowl, crumbled the ground beef and add the eggs, yogurt, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, parsley, green onions, breadcrumbs, and scoop in the sautéed shallots/garlic. (Note: Put skillet back on stove because you’ll pan sear the meatballs in it.) Blend this meat mixture together well with your hands. Shape into 12 equal sized meatballs placing on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.

Put the remaining 3 tablespoons of oil in the skillet. Turn heat to medium high. Place six meatballs at a time and brown well on all sides. Remove and place on a dish. Repeat with the remaining meatballs, browning them well, then removing to a plate. Your meatballs will lose some of their ‘roundness’—that’s ok.

Use this same skillet to make the gravy. Turn heat to medium. Add the oil and let it get hot. Add the flour and whisk in cooking about a minute. Slowly add in the milk and continue whisking the entire time to make a gravy. Add the Kitchen Bouquet and blend. This will darken your gravy. Add the salt and pepper and blend.

Add the meatballs (and any juices from the plate) back to the gravy, turn and coat each with some gravy. Turn heat to simmer. Cover with a lid and let the meatballs bask in the gravy for about 20 minutes before serving. If gravy thickens too much, just add a little milk to thin.

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