Description
This Savory Homemade Meatball Stew is an incredible ultimate recipe. It’s packed with flavorful meatballs, fresh vegetables, and aromatic herbs, creating a comforting and hearty meal perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey for a lighter option)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For the Stew:
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 cups diced potatoes
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 bay leaf
- Olive oil for sautéing
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper. Mix well and form small meatballs (about 1-inch in diameter).
- Brown the Meatballs: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook until browned on all sides (about 5 minutes). Remove the meatballs and set them aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same pot, add the chopped onion, diced carrots, and diced celery. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes or until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Add the Potatoes and Seasonings: Stir in diced potatoes, dried thyme, paprika, and the bay leaf.
- Combine with Broth: Pour in the beef broth, bringing the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer the Stew: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and return the meatballs to the pot. Cover and simmer for 30-40 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the stew and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- Prepare for Serving: Once cooked, remove the bay leaf and sprinkle with fresh parsley for garnish.
Notes
- Experiment with herbs like basil or oregano for a different flavor.
- This recipe can be doubled or halved.
- For a slow cooker version, transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker and cook for several hours.
- Add red pepper flakes or jalapeños for a spicy twist.
- Substitute meatballs with plant-based alternatives for a vegetarian option.
- Swap ground beef with pork or chicken for different tastes.
- Incorporate seasonal vegetables like zucchini or corn.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
- This stew freezes well for up to 3 months.
- You can use frozen vegetables, but fresh ones offer better texture and flavor.
- For a low-carb diet, use cauliflower or turnips instead of potatoes.
- This stew can be made in advance and tastes even better the next day.
- Chicken or vegetable broth can be used instead of beef broth.
- Omit meatballs for a vegetable-only stew.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: N/A
- Sodium: N/A
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: N/A
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: N/A
- Fiber: N/A
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: N/A