This oven meatball stew is a vintage recipe that is incredibly easy to make and totally delicious! It’s a complete meal in one pot.
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 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.
- Can be made ahead and braised on the day you serve it.
What to serve with this stew
- green salad
- crusty bread
- biscuits
- cornbread
- serve over mashed potatoes or noodles
Ingredients for oven meatball stew
For meatballs
- ground beef
- minced onion
- minced bell pepper
- cornmeal
- milk
- egg
- dry mustard
- chili powder
- salt
For stew
- meatballs
- potatoes
- carrots
- tomato juice
- gluten free flour or cornstarch
- pearl onions
How to make the meatballs
- Finely chop pepper and onion.
- Add all meatball ingredients to mixing bowl.
- Mix gently but thoroughly.
- Use an ice cream scoop to form 10-12 meatballs. Brown in batches in Dutch oven with a little oil.
- Turn when browned. Set aside after browning and continue with remaining meatballs.
How to make the stew
- Once all meatballs are browned, add flour to remaining fat in pot. Whisk until smooth.
- Cut up vegetables.
- Let flour mixture cook 2-3 minutes until it bubbles.
- Add tomato juice slowly to pan and whisk constantly. Once all of the flour mixture is incorporated, simmer the sauce for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add the vegetables stir to coat with sauce. Add meatballs.
Bake stew at 325°F for 1-1/2 hours until vegetables are soft. The last 10 minutes, add pearl onions just to warm.
Pro tips to ensure your success
- 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″x13″ 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 be a great addition.
Tools I Use
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.
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I hope you enjoyed the recipe today!
Enjoy. And have fun cooking!
📖 Recipe
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.
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.
Tammy
I have to make this for the family this season…what a comforting and delicious meal. Nothing beats homemade stew on a chilly day!
Beth Neels
I agree! Thanks Tammy!
marlynn
I really love one pot/one pan dishes like this. So good – the ultimate comfort food!
Beth Neels
Thanks Marlynn! I hope you like it!
Angela
I love meatballs in dinner recipes. They are so versatile. This recipe is a keeper. I love the use of the tomato juice!
Beth Neels
Me too! And it’s so easy!
Cathleen
This is the ultimate comfort food!I am definitely giving this a go, thank you so much for this recipe!! Bookmarking this to make over the weekend 🙂
Beth Neels
Thanks Cathleen!
Sarah James
Your Meatball Stew looks so tasty, I love the idea of spicy meatballs instead of chunks of meat. I’m always looking for new ideas for one pot meals. Can’t wait to try this one, thanks for sharing.
Beth Neels
Thanks Sarah. I hope you like it!