Kohl's Meatballs & Gravy

Few dinners say comfort quite like meatballs in gravy spooned over a pile of buttered noodles. This recipe keeps the meatballs simple and the focus on that rich, savory sauce.

The meatballs themselves are humble: ground beef bound with moist bread crumbs and egg, with a little Parmesan worked in for a savory, slightly nutty edge. Rolled small, about the size of a quarter, they cook quickly and stay tender.

A quick brown in a hot pan builds a flavorful crust and leaves behind the browned bits that give the gravy its depth.

Then they simmer right in the pan until the gravy thickens around them, soaking up all that beefy flavor.

Serve them plain, or spoon them over buttered noodles or rice to catch every drop of gravy. It’s an easy, family-pleasing dinner that comes together with pantry staples.

Kitchen Tips

• Don’t overwork the meat mixture; mix just until combined so the meatballs stay tender, not dense.
• Brown the meatballs well before simmering, since those crusty bits are what flavor the gravy.
• Roll them a uniform size, quarter-sized as the recipe suggests, so they cook evenly.

Variations

• Stir flour into the pan drippings, then add beef broth, to build a classic brown gravy.
• Add sauteed mushrooms or onions to the gravy for extra flavor.
• Use a mix of beef and pork, plus a pinch of garlic or Italian herbs, in the meatballs.