There’s nothing more comforting than a plate of tender meatballs nestled beside creamy mashed potatoes, smothered in rich gravy, with sweet carrots and peas rounding out the meal. This dish is the definition of cozy, stick-to-your-ribs comfort food—perfect for a family dinner or when you’re craving a classic homemade meal. Each element complements the other, creating a balanced, wholesome, and utterly satisfying plate.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
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1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
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1 small onion, finely grated
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 large egg
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½ cup breadcrumbs
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¼ cup milk
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2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
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1 tsp salt
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½ tsp black pepper
For the Mashed Potatoes:
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2 lbs potatoes, peeled and cubed
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½ cup milk (warm)
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4 tbsp butter
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Salt and pepper to taste
For the Gravy:
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3 tbsp butter
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3 tbsp all-purpose flour
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3 cups beef broth
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1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
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Salt and pepper to taste
For the Vegetables:
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2 cups carrots, sliced
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1 cup peas (fresh or frozen)
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1 tbsp butter
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Pinch of salt
Instructions
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Make the Meatballs:
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In a large bowl, combine ground beef, onion, garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, milk, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
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Roll into golf ball-sized meatballs.
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Heat a skillet with a drizzle of oil over medium heat and brown the meatballs on all sides. Transfer to a plate (they’ll finish cooking in the gravy).
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Cook the Mashed Potatoes:
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Boil the cubed potatoes in salted water until fork-tender, about 15 minutes.
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Drain, then mash with butter, warm milk, salt, and pepper until creamy and smooth. Keep warm.
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Prepare the Gravy:
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In the same skillet used for meatballs, melt butter and whisk in flour to make a roux. Cook for 1–2 minutes until golden.
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Slowly whisk in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer until thickened.
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Return meatballs to the pan and simmer gently for 10 minutes, coating them in the gravy.
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Cook the Vegetables:
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Steam or boil carrots until tender (about 8 minutes). Add peas for the last 2–3 minutes.
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Drain, toss with butter and a pinch of salt.
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Assemble the Plate:
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Spoon creamy mashed potatoes onto the plate, top with juicy meatballs and rich gravy.
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Serve alongside buttered carrots and peas for a colorful, comforting meal.
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✨ Tip: You can prepare the meatballs ahead of time and freeze them. Just reheat in gravy when ready to serve.
Would you like me to also give you a Swedish-style variation of this recipe (with cream gravy and lingonberry on the side), or keep it as a classic homestyle version?
