Oven Braised Meatball Stew
This oven meatball stew is a vintage recipe that is incredibly easy to make and totally delicious. It’s a complete one-pot meal.
We have been making this recipe for at least 40 years. It is one of my family’s favorite comfort foods on a cold day. Everyone always goes back for seconds, too.
Make a double batch and freeze some. This stew freezes very well. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
You can also make this recipe in the slow cooker if you would rather. Cook on high 3-4 hours or on low 6-8 hours.
The stove top will work too. Cover and cook on very low for 1-2 hours.
Why This Recipe Works
- Cooks in one pot, so very little cleanup.
- Spices give it a southwestern flair.
- Gluten and dairy-free.
- So easy and incredibly delicious.
- Very economical.
- It’s a great meal prep recipe. Make a double batch and freeze it in portions.
- It can be made ahead and braised on the day you serve it.
- This is a great recipe for kids.
What to Serve with This Stew
- green salad
- crusty bread
- biscuits
- cornbread
- serve over mashed potatoes or noodles
Ingredients for Meatball Stew
For meatballs
- Ground beef: Use 80 % beef or a mixture of beef, veal and pork. You can even add venison or lamb for a tender meatball.
- Minced onion: Mince the onion finely, or grate it right over the bowl. This gets the onion juice flavor into the meatballs, too.
- Minced bell pepper: Choose whatever color bell pepper you have.
- Cornmeal: This recipe uses cornmeal instead of bread crumbs. It gives the meatballs a bit of a Southwestern flavor.
- Milk: Use cow’s milk or almond milk for a dairy-free version.
- Egg: The egg serves as the binder for the meatballs.
- Dry mustard: Mustard powder adds a distinct, subtle, tangy mustard flavor.
- Chili powder: This gives a meatball a subtle kick, which enhances the Southwestern flavors.
- Salt and pepper: Use kosher or sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
For stew
- Meatballs: These form the base of the meatball stew recipe. Kids especially love this easy meal.
- Potatoes: The potatoes are the fresh, starchy support for the meatballs.
- Carrots: Carrots add a mild sweetness and are a kid’s favorite.
- Tomato juice: Is the base of the gravy in the stew.
- Gluten-free flour or cornstarch: To make it gluten-free. You can also use all-purpose flour.
- Pearl onions: These add a savory sweetness to this stew.
How to Make the Meatballs
Finely chop the pepper and onion.
Add all of the meatball ingredients to a mixing bowl.
Mix gently but thoroughly. If you overmix, you won’t have tender meatballs.
Use an ice cream scoop to form 10-12 meatballs. Gently shape them into balls. Brown in batches over medium-high heat, in a Dutch oven with a little oil.
Turn when browned. Set aside after browning and continue with the remaining meatballs.
How to Make the Stew
Once all meatballs are browned, add the flour to the pan drippings. Whisk until smooth over medium heat.
Cut up the potatoes and carrots.
Let the flour mixture cook 2-3 minutes until it bubbles. Add the tomato juice. It forms the stew base. Adjust the gravy’s consistency. If it’s too thin, add flour or cornstarch slurry. If it’s too thick, add more tomato juice.
Add the veggies, stir to coat with the sauce. Add the meatballs.
Bake the stew at 325°F for 1-1/2 hours until the vegetables are soft. The cooking time will vary, depending on how large you chop the vegetables. In the last 10 minutes, add pearl onions just to warm. Portion in bowls, garnish with parsley.
Pro tips to ensure your success
- Use an ice cream scoop to portion out the meat for the meatballs.
- Brown the meatballs in the same Dutch oven or ovenproof stockpot you use to braise the stew for added flavor.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when browning.
- Cut vegetables approximately the same size
- If you don’t own a Dutch oven, make the stew in a covered casserole dish.
- Substitute chunks of onion for the pearl onion.
- Substitute any other vegetables you would like. Parsnips would be great instead of carrots. Corn or peas would be a great addition.
Helpful Tools
Some other delicious soups and stews
- Venison stew
- Slow cooker chili
- Chunky venison chili
- Rabbit curry with coconut
- Easy homemade chicken ramen
This oven meatball stew is calling you. Make it the next cold day in your neck of the woods. Once the kids taste it, they’ll gobble it up.
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I hope you enjoyed the recipe today.
Enjoy. And have fun cooking!
Oven Meatball Stew
Ingredients
For Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tbsp onion finely chopped
- 2 tbsp bell peppers, any color, diced
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup cornmeal
- 1 egg
- 1½ tsp dry mustard
- 1 tsp Chili powder
- 1 tsp salt
For Stew
- peanut or vegetable oil
- 2 Tbsp flour
- 2 cups tomato juice
- 6 Potatoes cut in chunks
- 6 large carrot
- 12-15 frozen pearl onions
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients for meatballs in a large bowl. Use an ice cream scoop to portion meat for 10-12 large meatballs. Roll into meatballs.
- Brown meatballs in batches in Dutch oven. Don't overcrowd pan. Set aside then continue with remainder of the meatballs.
- Mix 2 tablespoons flour with the remaining fat in the Dutch oven. Whisk until smooth. Cook for 2-3 minutes on low heat until bubbly.
- Pour in tomato juice slowly while whisking. Add all of tomato juice. Cook sauce for about 10 minutes, until slightly thickened.
- Add potatoes and carrots to sauce. Stir to cover with sauce. Top with meatballs.
- Bake at 325°F until vegetables are tender and meatballs are cooked through.
- Add onions the last 10 minutes of baking time.
See all of my favorite tools and gift ideas on my New Amazon Store!Check out Binky's Amazon Store!Notes
- Use an ice cream scoop to portion out meat for the meatballs.
- Brown meatballs in the same Dutch oven you use to braise the stew for added flavor.
- Don’t overcrowd pan when browning.
- Cut vegetables approximately the same size.
- If you don’t own a Dutch oven, make stew in a 9″x 13″ baking pan, or any other casserole dish.
- Substitute chunks of onion for the pearl onion.
- Substitute any other vegetables you would like. Parsnips would be great instead of carrots. Corn or peas would also be a great addition.
Nutrition
Originally published November 6, 2020. Updated November 14, 2025.
Recipe Name: Oven Meatball Stew
Type: Main Dish / Stew
Main Ingredients: Ground beef, potatoes, carrots, tomato juice, onions, spices
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Yield: 4–6 servings
Special Equipment: Dutch oven or casserole dish
Great For: Cold weather dinners, make-ahead meals, family comfort food
Thanks Marlynn! I hope you like it!
Thanks Sarah. I hope you like it!