This hearty and savory Meatball Stew is the perfect comfort food for colder months. Filled with tender meatballs, Yukon Gold potatoes, green beans, and a rich, savory broth made with beef stock and beef bouillon, this stew is the ultimate winter meal. With the depth of flavor from tomato paste, garlic, and fresh thyme, this easy-to-make stew will warm you up from the inside out.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Meatballs:

• 1 ½ pounds ground beef (80/20)

• ¾ teaspoon garlic powder

• ¾ teaspoon onion powder

• 2 teaspoons sea salt

• 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning

• ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

• 1 large egg

• ½ cup bread crumbs

• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

• ¼ cup whole milk

For the Stew:

• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 small yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)

• 2 large carrots, large dice (about 1 cup)

• 3 celery ribs, large dice (about 1 cup)

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

• 2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme

• 6 cups beef stock

• 2 teaspoons beef bouillon (or better than bouillon)

• 4 small Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into 1½-inch pieces

• 1 cup fresh green beans, cut into 2-inch pieces

• 3 tablespoons cornstarch

• ¼ cup cold water

• Flat leaf parsley, for serving

Directions

1. Make the Meatballs: In a large bowl, mix together ground beef, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, Italian seasoning, pepper, egg, bread crumbs, Worcestershire sauce, and whole milk until fully combined. Shape the mixture into 24 golf ball-sized meatballs.

2. Brown the Meatballs: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large Dutch oven or stock pot over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides, working in batches if necessary. Once browned, remove the meatballs and set them aside.

3. Cook the Vegetables: In the same pot, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the onions, carrots, and celery, cooking for about 5 minutes until they begin to soften. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

4. Make the Stew Base: Stir in the tomato paste and thyme, combining well. Add the browned meatballs back into the pot along with beef stock and beef bouillon. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.

5. Add the Potatoes and Green Beans: Add the potatoes and green beans, then cover and simmer for about 20 minutes until the vegetables are tender and the meatballs are cooked through (160°F internal temperature).

6. Thicken the Stew: In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and cold water to make a slurry. Add the slurry to the stew and simmer for another 5-7 minutes until the broth thickens.

7. Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with crusty bread or buttered egg noodles.

Nutrients (Per Serving)

• Calories: 426

• Carbohydrates: 32g

• Protein: 23g

• Fat: 23g

  • Saturated Fat: 7g

• Cholesterol: 84mg

• Sodium: 1360mg

• Potassium: 436mg

• Fiber: 3g

• Sugar: 4g

The Meatballs: Flavorful and Tender

The meatballs in this stew are made with ground beef, seasoned with garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce to create a deep, savory flavor. The combination of breadcrumbs, milk, and an egg helps to bind the meatballs together while keeping them tender and juicy.

By shaping the meatballs into small, bite-sized portions (about the size of golf balls), they cook evenly in the stew, absorbing the flavors of the broth and vegetables. When browned first in a bit of olive oil, the meatballs develop a beautiful, crispy exterior that adds even more flavor to the stew. These little morsels of beef provide a satisfying texture and rich flavor, making each bite of this stew more enjoyable.

Building the Flavorful Stew Base

Once the meatballs are browned, the next step is to build the stew’s flavorful base. Using the same pot, onions, carrots, and celery are sautéed until softened, creating a flavorful foundation for the broth. The addition of garlic brings an aromatic depth, filling the kitchen with a savory scent.

Tomato paste and fresh thyme are stirred into the vegetables, adding complexity and a slight tang from the tomatoes, while the thyme brings a hint of earthiness. These ingredients serve as the perfect base to complement the rich beef broth that will simmer the meatballs and vegetables.

Simmering the Stew: Tender Vegetables and Juicy Meatballs

Once the vegetables and seasonings are in place, the beef stock and beef bouillon are added to the pot, creating a flavorful broth. The meatballs are added back into the stew, allowing them to cook further and absorb the rich broth. The stew is then brought to a boil before being reduced to a simmer, allowing the flavors to meld together.

After the initial simmering, the potatoes and green beans are added to the stew. The potatoes bring a comforting, hearty texture to the dish, and the green beans add a fresh, crisp element. As the stew continues to simmer for about 20 minutes, the potatoes become tender, the green beans soften, and the meatballs cook through. The result is a hearty, well-balanced stew with perfectly cooked vegetables and juicy, flavorful meatballs.

Thickening the Stew: A Perfectly Velvety Broth

To finish the stew, a simple cornstarch slurry is added to the broth, helping to thicken it slightly and create a velvety texture. The broth becomes rich and smooth, ensuring that every spoonful is packed with flavor. The stew continues to simmer for an additional 5-7 minutes, allowing the broth to reach the perfect consistency.

Serving Suggestions

Once your Hearty Meatball Stew is ready, it’s time to serve! Garnish the stew with fresh parsley for a pop of color and a burst of fresh flavor. The stew is perfect on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with crusty bread to soak up the rich broth or with buttered egg noodles for an extra layer of comfort. The combination of savory meatballs, tender vegetables, and a thick, flavorful broth makes this stew a filling and satisfying meal.

For a lighter version, you could also serve the stew alongside a simple green salad to balance out the richness of the dish.

Conclusion: Comfort in a Bowl

Hearty Meatball Stew is the perfect meal for cold weather, offering a combination of tender meatballs, flavorful vegetables, and a rich, savory broth. With its easy-to-follow steps and simple ingredients, this dish is sure to become a favorite in your home, whether for a weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering. The blend of beef, herbs, and vegetables creates a comforting, well-balanced stew that warms you up from the inside out. Enjoy a bowl with crusty bread or buttered egg noodles for the ultimate comfort meal.