Description
This Hearty Meatball Stew is a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for family dinners. Tender, juicy meatballs simmered in a savory tomato and beef broth with diced vegetables create a wholesome and satisfying meal that warms you from the inside out.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatball Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (80% lean)
- 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Stew Ingredients
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 medium potatoes, cubed
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsp cooking oil (for browning and sautéing)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Chop all vegetables finely—onions, carrots, and potatoes—and mince the garlic to have all ingredients ready.
- Make Meatballs: In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, finely chopped onion, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Mix gently until just combined to keep meatballs tender. Shape mixture into evenly sized meatballs.
- Brown Meatballs: Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the meatballs and brown them on all sides for about 5 minutes. Once browned, transfer the meatballs to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: Using the same pot and oil, add diced carrots and cubed potatoes. Sauté for about 5 minutes until they start to soften. Add the canned diced tomatoes and cook for an additional 2 minutes to combine flavors.
- Add Broth and Simmer: Pour in 4 cups of beef broth and stir in 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning. Return the browned meatballs to the pot. Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Let it cook uncovered for about 30 minutes, allowing the meatballs to cook through and the vegetables to become tender.
- Serve: Ladle the hearty meatball stew into bowls and serve hot. It pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or a side of rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- To prevent overmixing meatball mixture, gently fold ingredients to keep them tender.
- You can swap ground beef for ground turkey for a leaner option.
- Adding a splash of red wine during the sauté step can deepen the stew’s flavor.
- Leftovers reheat well and taste even better the next day.
- For a thicker stew, mash some of the potatoes before serving.
