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Meatballs Recipe Cozy Skillet Meatballs and Gravy

I make this meatballs recipe when home feels a bit quiet and the pantry looks kind. The sauce turns smooth and glossy. The meatballs stay tender and warm. The pot hums and I breathe easier. We use a simple mix of beef and pork with soft bread soaked in milk. We brown the meatballs, then we build a pan gravy with onions, garlic, and stock. It all settles into one skillet and the smell drifts into the hall. This works on weeknights and it scales for a crowd. You can even call it meatballs recipe crockpot on slow days, or swipe in a chicken meatballs recipe, beef meatballs recipe, pork meatballs recipe, party meatballs recipe, or a veggie meatballs recipe when the table asks for change. I serve it with mashed potatoes or buttered noodles. A quick salad sits near the stove. We spoon gravy over everything and talk about small wins. Nothing fancy. Just a steady meal that meets you where you are and brings everyone back to the same warm plate.

Table of Contents

  • 1) Key Takeaways
  • 2) Easy Meatballs and Gravy Recipe
  • 3) Ingredients for Meatballs and Gravy
  • 4) How to Make Meatballs and Gravy
  • 5) Tips for Making Meatballs and Gravy
  • 6) Making Meatballs and Gravy Ahead of Time
  • 7) Storing Leftover Meatballs and Gravy
  • 8) Try these Main Course next
  • 9) Meatballs and Gravy
  • 10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

From Linda at Cook Daily Recipe on Cook Daily Recipe we keep supper calm and cozy. This meatballs recipe brings soft meat, a smooth gravy, and a pace that fits a busy night. I lean on pantry staples and one wide pan. The meal tastes rich but the steps stay friendly.

Two things guide the pot. Brown for flavor then simmer for tenderness. The gravy clings and the meatballs stay juicy. Mashed potatoes or buttered noodles catch the extra sauce and no one minds a little spill.

Make an easy meatballs recipe or push into a best meatballs recipe mood with a touch of cream. If you like options the batter shifts to turkey or to a beef and pork blend. The method stays steady and the table stays happy.

2) Easy Meatballs and Gravy Recipe

I reach for this pan when the day runs long and the fridge looks light. The main keyword meatballs recipe sits right at the heart of this dish and the main keyword meatballs recipe wins again when we need comfort in a bowl. We mix a soft binder then we brown and simmer. The flavor builds without fuss.

For a crowd I split the batch between two pans. For a slower plan I shift to meatballs recipe crockpot so dinner stays hands off while we set the table and breathe. Easy meatballs recipe sounds bold yet the work feels light. A few stirs and we are close.

For the plate I like mashed potatoes with a small salad. The gravy spreads and the greens wake the tongue. If someone asks for a twist I flag homemade meatballs recipe as my favorite tweak and smile when the bowl comes back clean.

3) Ingredients for Meatballs and Gravy

Fresh breadcrumbs Soft crumbs soak milk and keep each meatball tender. Stale crumbs work in a pinch but fresh crumbs hold more moisture and give a gentle bite that feels right with gravy.

Milk A small pour lifts texture. The crumbs drink the milk and the mix stays light. I like whole milk for body and a mellow finish that plays well with stock.

Ground beef Beef brings depth and that Sunday roast vibe. If beef runs low swap in chicken meatballs recipe style or go half beef half pork for a rounder taste.

Ground pork Pork adds gentle fat that melts into the gravy. The mix browns better and the meatballs stay juicy across the simmer.

Egg One egg binds the mix without making it tight. The meatballs hold shape yet cut with a spoon which always feels like a small win.

Parmesan A little cheese seasons from within. It adds nutty notes that echo the pan drippings and boost every bite.

Minced onion and garlic These two start flavor in both the meat and the gravy. They soften fast and leave a mellow sweetness.

Kosher salt and black pepper Simple seasoning leads the way. Taste the gravy near the end and adjust until it feels balanced.

Dried Italian herbs A small pinch adds warmth. Oregano and basil keep things homestyle without stealing the show.

Olive oil A thin layer in the pan helps browning. The surface turns deep and the fond builds fast which we pull into the gravy.

Butter Butter rounds the gravy. It carries the flour and brings a soft gloss that looks good on the plate.

Flour A spoon or two thickens the sauce. Cook the flour until it smells toasty so the gravy tastes clean.

Beef stock Stock forms the body of the sauce. Low sodium stock lets you season right at the end without overshooting.

Worcestershire and Dijon Small hits of both add depth and a little tang. The gravy wakes up and the meatballs shine.

Heavy cream Optional yet lovely. A small splash softens edges and brings that best meatballs recipe feel.

Fresh parsley A clean finish. It turns the bowl bright and brings a hint of green that feels fresh.

4) How to Make Meatballs and Gravy

Step one soak Stir crumbs with milk and let them sit until the mix turns soft and even. This step keeps the center moist and helps the meatballs stay light across the simmer.

Step two mix Add beef pork egg Parmesan onion garlic salt pepper and herbs. Work with clean hands until the mix looks even. Leave small streaks so the texture stays tender and not dense.

Step three shape Roll golf size balls and set them on a tray. A light touch helps. Chill for a short spell to help them keep shape.

Step four brown Heat oil in a wide pan over medium heat. Sear the meatballs on all sides until deep color forms. Move them to a plate.

Step five gravy Melt butter in the same pan. Soften onion then stir in flour. Whisk in stock little by little until smooth then add Worcestershire and Dijon.

Step six simmer Return meatballs to the pan. Cover and cook until the centers reach safe temp and the gravy turns silky. Stir in cream if you like then shower with parsley.

5) Tips for Making Meatballs and Gravy

Chill formed meatballs for a short rest. They brown cleaner and hold shape. Wet hands for rolling to prevent sticking and keep the surface smooth.

Scrape the fond with the first splash of stock. Those browned bits bring deep flavor to the gravy and lift the whole dish. Keep the simmer gentle so the meatballs stay tender.

Want variety. Try beef meatballs recipe on a game night or swap to pork meatballs recipe when you want a richer note. For a lighter lane slide toward a veggie meatballs recipe with a mushroom base and keep the same gravy.

6) Making Meatballs and Gravy Ahead of Time

I batch the meatballs in the morning and park them in the fridge. The mix firms a bit and the roll time feels quick at dinner. If time runs short I cook them fully then cool on a tray for a clean reheat.

For a set and forget plan I like meatballs recipe crockpot on low. Brown the meatballs first then tuck them into a slow cooker with the gravy. The texture stays soft and the flavor builds while we get on with our night.

For serving later keep the cream out until the final warm up. Add a splash of stock if the gravy looks tight. The method stays steady and stress stays low.

7) Storing Leftover Meatballs and Gravy

Cool leftovers in shallow containers then cover and chill. They keep three days with flavor that deepens. For longer storage freeze in meal size packs for up to two months.

Reheat in a pan over low heat with a small splash of stock. Stir now and then so the gravy loosens without breaking. Taste near the end and adjust salt and pepper.

Leftover ideas line up fast. Spoon over toast for lunch. Fold into cooked rice for a quick bowl. On busy nights this simple plan saves the day for our meatballs recipe habit.

8) Try these Main Course next

9) Meatballs and Gravy

Meatballs Recipe Cozy Skillet Meatballs and Gravy

I make this meatballs recipe when home feels a bit quiet and the pantry looks kind. The sauce turns smooth and glossy. The meatballs stay tender and warm. The pot hums and I breathe easier. We use a simple mix of beef and pork with soft bread soaked in milk. We brown the meatballs, then we build a pan gravy with onions, garlic, and stock. It all settles into one skillet and the smell drifts into the hall. This works on weeknights and it scales for a crowd. You can even call it meatballs recipe crockpot on slow days, or swipe in a chicken meatballs recipe, beef meatballs recipe, pork meatballs recipe, party meatballs recipe, or a veggie meatballs recipe when the table asks for change. I serve it with mashed potatoes or buttered noodles. A quick salad sits near the stove. We spoon gravy over everything and talk about small wins. Nothing fancy. Just a steady meal that meets you where you are and brings everyone back to the same warm plate.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keywords: beef meatballs recipe, chicken meatballs recipe, comfort food, meatballs and gravy, meatballs recipe, meatballs recipe crockpot, party meatballs recipe, pork meatballs recipe, skillet meatballs, veggie meatballs recipe
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Linda

Ingredients

For the Meatballs

  • one cup fresh breadcrumbs from soft bread
  • one half cup milk
  • one pound ground beef
  • one half pound ground pork
  • one large egg
  • one third cup grated Parmesan
  • two tablespoons minced onion
  • two cloves garlic minced
  • one teaspoon kosher salt
  • one half teaspoon black pepper
  • one half teaspoon dried Italian herbs
  • two tablespoons olive oil for searing

For the Gravy

  • two tablespoons butter
  • one small onion minced
  • two tablespoons flour
  • two cups beef stock low sodium
  • one teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • one half teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • two tablespoons heavy cream optional
  • fresh parsley chopped for finish

Instructions

Make the Meatball Mix

  1. Combine breadcrumbs and milk in a bowl and let the crumbs drink the milk for five minutes.
  2. Add beef, pork, egg, Parmesan, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and herbs. Mix with clean hands until the blend looks even but still tender. Do not pack it tight.
  3. Roll the mix into meatballs about golf ball size.

Brown the Meatballs

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add half the meatballs. Cook until the sides take on deep color. Turn and repeat. Move to a plate and repeat with the rest.

Build the Gravy

  1. Lower the heat a notch. Add butter to the same skillet. Stir in onion and cook until soft and sweet.
  2. Sprinkle in flour. Stir to make a paste. Cook one to two minutes until it smells nutty.
  3. Whisk in stock in small splashes. Keep whisking until smooth.
  4. Stir in Worcestershire and Dijon. Season with salt and pepper.

Finish and Serve

  1. Nestle the meatballs back into the gravy. Cover and simmer ten to twelve minutes until the centers read one hundred sixty five on a thermometer.
  2. Stir in cream if you like a richer finish. Sprinkle parsley.
  3. Serve over mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, or rice. Spoon on extra gravy.

10) Nutrition

Serving size one sixth. Calories four hundred eighty. Sugar three grams. Sodium seven hundred eighty milligrams. Fat thirty two grams. Saturated fat twelve grams. Carbohydrates eighteen grams. Fiber one gram. Protein twenty eight grams. Cholesterol one hundred twenty milligrams.

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