Instant Pot Meatballs in Gravy (stovetop recipe included) - Foody Schmoody Blog (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to cook meatballs before adding to sauce? ›

Adding raw meatballs to the sauce and gently simmering till cooked yields ultra-tender results, and infuses the sauce with meaty flavor—a slow cooker gives great results.

The longer the simmer, the more tender and succulent the meatballs become. 3. Concentration of Flavors: Simmering at a low temperature for an extended period also encourages the sauce to reduce and thicken.

If the meatballs are packed together too tightly, they will cook up rubbery, chewy, and tough. If the meatballs are different sizes, they will cook unevenly. The smaller meatballs may end up dry and overcooked, while the larger ones may end up undercooked.

Put your raw meatballs aside in a dish. In a large skillet or pot, heat some tomato sauce on the stovetop. I usually start it out on medium-high heat and add my raw meatballs to the pan. When the sauce comes to a boil, I lower the stove to medium-low heat and let the meatballs cook slowly.

Let the meatballs cook – Leave them in the sauce (minimum 1 hour) on real low heat to slowly braise and absorb the flavors of the homemade tomato sauce.

An egg is usually a good start, as that can help with the tenderness and texture, but the king of meatball binders is breadcrumbs soaked in milk (also known as a panade). Soaking the breadcrumbs first makes them pliable and soggy, which allows them to easily and evenly mix into the ground meat.

How long should raw meatballs cook in sauce? ›

Give each meatball a final roll and add them to the pot. Brown them in batches, for a few minutes on each side. They won't be cooked all the way through. Remove and set aside until the sauce is prepared, then simmer them in the sauce for 45 minutes.

Step 5: Transfer the meatballs to the sauce and allow them to simmer for at least 1 hour. I usually allow them to simmer for up to 3 hours to really suck in all the flavor.

When it comes to adding liquid to meatball mixtures, milk is often used for its versatility, depth of flavor, and richness. Without the use of milk, you may be faced with a plate of dry meatballs. Milk adds a certain level of moisture that helps produce perfectly tender meatballs.

While water and broth may keep the meatballs moist throughout the cooking process, milk's extra fat and luscious consistency add an unmatched level of complexity to any classic meatball recipe.

You only need a small amount of egg – it's there only to help the cooked meatball retain its shape, and shouldn't detract from the meat's flavour or texture. Filler ingredients like breadcrumbs or flour are important too because they stop the meatballs becoming dry.

Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat back down to a light simmer. Add the meatballs and toss them with the sauce. Cover the pot and simmer for 45 minutes.

Baking meatballs is much easier, however. Whether making meatballs to go with spaghetti or something else I prefer to bake them. Frying them gives a nice crust but takes a lot of watching as they can easily burn. Baking gives the same result with less work.

It is often preferable to cook the meat and vegetables separate from the simmer sauce at high heat first. Then add the sauce, cover, and simmer over low heat for about 20 minutes, stirring every few minutes and using the time you saved in preparation to make a salad or even catch up on social media.

Poached meatballs are as tender as can be, but because they simmer uncooked, I always end up with a few meatballs that break up in the sauce. Frying or baking the meatballs first develops a crust, so they stay together better, though the crust means they're not quite as tender as a poached meatball.