Try these Meatballs and Gravy if you’re looking for the ultimate comfort food dinner! Homemade meatballs are smothered in the most delicious onion gravy – also known as Salisbury Steak Meatballs.

overhead view of skillet with meatballs in onion gravy

Raise your hand if you love a good comfort food dinner! From Salisbury Steak to Shepherd’s Pie and Crockpot Beef Stew… We love cozy meals around here!

This particular recipe for meatballs and gravy results in tender, homemade meatballs smothered in the most delicious onion gravy – all made from scratch! Don’t worry though, it’s simple enough to make on a weeknight with just a few simple ingredients.

Ingredients you’ll need

Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities!

ingredients to make meatballs and gravy on a marble countertop — Ingredients in Meatballs and Gravy: Ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, dried parsley, onion and garlic powder, seasoned salt and pepper, onion, beef broth, butter and flour.

Ingredient notes

Ground beef: I used lean ground beef, because I don’t like too much grease in this meal. You could also do a mix of ground pork and beef for a different flavor, or even ground turkey for a leaner meal. If using ground turkey, add 1-2 extra tablespoons of breadcrumbs.
Worcestershire sauce: If you don’t have this on hand, leave it out or use soy sauce instead.
Seasoned salt: I like using this on weeknights so I have less individual spices to measure out. Feel free to use regular salt plus your favorite spices instead.
Onion: I used medium white onions. Mine were each the size of a good handful. You could also do just one onion and add 8oz sliced mushrooms in place of the second onion.

Step by step photos

collage of steps to show how meatballs and gravy are made — How to make Meatballs and Gravy: 1) combine meatball ingredients in a large bowl, then 2) shape into meatballs until 3) all mixture has been used. 4) Brown the meatballs in batches until 5) browned and crispy all around. 6) Add butter to the skillet and cook the onions until soft and golden brown. 7) Stir in flour, then stir in beef broth. 8) Simmer until thickened, then 9) carefully add meatballs and finish simmering for a few minutes.

close up of meatballs smothered in gravy

Recipe tips

Shape firm meatballs, or they’ll fall apart in the sauce.
The meatballs are quite delicate; make sure to handle them carefully or you’ll end up with meat sauce! The reason I make them more delicate here is because they end up juicer this way. If you want them more sturdy, double the breadcrumbs. They will be little more dry though.
If you prefer baking the meatballs, you may do so on an unlined baking sheet for 15 minutes at 410°F. The gravy will have less flavor, but the recipe is a little easier and quicker to do.
The onions need a really good color and softness before you add the flour and broth, otherwise the gravy will lack in flavor.
Simmer the gravy until thickened to your taste. If it’s too thick, gradually add more broth. If it’s too thin, whisk 1 tablespoon cornstarch into 1 tablespoon cold water. Gradually add this slurry to the simmering gravy and cook until thickened.
Don’t heavily stir the meatballs once they’re in the gravy, they may fall apart. you just have to add them to the sauce, gently toss a little and let them simmer over medium-low heat until cooked through.

How to serve Meatballs and Gravy

You’ll definitely need something to mop up all the delicious gravy! We prefer mashed potatoes (I mostly make my Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes, but regular mashed potatoes work just as well) , but rice or noodles are delicious, too.

We also like to add a veggie on the side, my favorite are my sautéed green beans or roasted Brussels sprouts.

female hand holding plate with mashed potatoes, meatballs, gravy and green beans

More meatball recipes

PS If you try this recipe, please leave a review in the comment section and add a star rating in the recipe card – I appreciate your feedback! Follow along on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram.