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Three tender meatloaf meatballs with onion-ketchup gravy sitting on top of creamy mashed potatoes with corn on the side

Tender Meatloaf Meatballs with Onion-Ketchup Gravy


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Description

These Tender Meatloaf Meatballs with Onion-Ketchup Gravy recipe is a delightful twist on the timeless classic of meatloaf. While traditional meatloaf is baked in a loaf shape, this meatloaf recipe takes the familiar flavors and transforms them into savory, bite-sized meatballs. This adaptation not only adds a fun and visually appealing twist, but also allows for faster cooking and even more surface area to soak up the rich, flavorful gravy.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground meatloaf mix (beef, veal and pork)
  • 1 pound 80/20 ground beef
  • 3 slices bread
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1/4 onion, minced
  • 1 carrot, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/3 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

FOR THE ONION-KETCHUP GRAVY:

  • 1 small white or yellow onion, sliced thin
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 3/4 cup chicken stock or water
  • 2 cups ketchup
  • 1/2 cup water

Instructions

  1. Tear the bread into pieces and add to a large mixing bowl.
  2. Pour in the heavy cream. Mix. Soak the bread for about 5 minutes.
  3. Add in the minced onion, carrots, meatloaf mix, ground beef, salt, pepper, ketchup, mustard and Worcestershire sauce. 
  4. Gently mix with your hands to combine. Try not to over mix.
  5. Form the meat mixture into meatballs.
  6. Heat up the olive oil in a pot.
  7. Fry the meatballs until they are cooked through and seared perfectly. Do this in batches. Transfer the meatballs to a plate as they finish.
  8. Once all meatballs have been cooked, drain all but 2 tablespoons of the grease. Try to leave those browned bits.
  9. Add in the onions. Sauté for a few minutes to soften.
  10. Sprinkle with the flour. Allow the raw flour taste to cook off for a few minutes.
  11. Deglaze with chicken stock or water. Scraping up the bits on the bottom.
  12. Turn up the heat.
  13. Add in the ketchup and water. Mix. If they gravy seems too thick, add a touch more water.
  14. Bring to just under a boil then turn down the heat to a simmer.
  15. Simmer for 10 minutes.
  16. Add the meatballs back to the pot along with any juices.
  17. Allow them to heat through a few minutes.
  18. Serve on top of creamy mashed potatoes.
  19. ENJOY!
@charlottefashionplate

Classic Meatloaf Meatballs Recipe! A fun twist on traditional comfort food that allows for shorter cooking time with that same incredible flavor! #meatloaf #meatballs #meatloafrecipe #comfortfood #foodtiktok #dinnerideas #fallfood #cookinghacks #gravy #ketchup

♬ In Love With You - BLVKSHP

Notes

  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs and 1 egg can be substituted for the bread soaked cream (although I highly recommend the cream-soaked bread)
  • replace the cream with milk
  • mincing the onions and carrots allows you to directly add them to the meat mixture without sautéing to soften first
  • do not overmix the meat mixture so as to avoid dense meatballs
  • make sure the oil is hot prior to adding the meatballs
  • fry at least half of the meatballs to make the gravy
  • sear the meatballs in batches (I fried half of them and baked the other half in a 375° oven for 10 minutes)
  • simmer the gravy for at least 10 minutes
  • see post for additional notes and tips
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Moderate
  • Cuisine: American, Comfort Food