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Chef John's Oven-Baked Meatballs

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PREP TIME
30 min
COOKING TIME
45 min
TOTAL TIME
135 min
SERVINGS
6 servings
Dinner Swedish
Chef John's Oven-Baked Meatballs
Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons fine salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/3 cup plain bread crumbs
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
  • 1 pound ground beef chuck
  • 1 pound ground pork
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 3 1/4 cups beef broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon white sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • cooking spray
Instructions
1
Prepare meatballs by heating butter in a large skillet over medium heat until melted. Cook and stir the onion, adding salt, until it becomes translucent, taking approximately 6 minutes to achieve this.
2
Transfer the onion mixture to a large bowl and combine it with eggs, bread crumbs, milk, black pepper, nutmeg, allspice, and cayenne. Mix in ground beef and pork until they are fully incorporated.
3
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
4
Create a rich gravy by heating butter in a large skillet over medium heat until melted. Whisk in flour and cook until it reaches a golden brown color, taking around 4 to 5 minutes.
5
Slowly whisk in beef broth and increase the heat to medium-high. Whisk in cream and bring the mixture to a simmer. Stir in sugar and Worcestershire sauce, allowing it to simmer until slightly thickened, taking approximately 6 to 7 minutes.
6
Season the gravy with salt and black pepper. Remove it from heat and set it aside to use later.
7
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly coat it with cooking spray.
8
Form 2 to 3 tablespoons of the meatball mixture into a ball using your hands, and repeat with the remaining mixture. Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet.
9
Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven until they are browned and cooked through, taking around 20 minutes. Use an instant-read thermometer to check if the center of the meatball reaches at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).
10
Transfer the cooked meatballs to the warm gravy and cook over medium-low heat until warmed through, taking about 5 minutes.