It was a cold evening when I first tried Salisbury meаtbаlls , and boy they is good . These meаtbаlls are soft , a bit salty , and have this nice gravy that hugs them . People call them comfort food , and I guess it is true . They remind me of old family dinners , and they make you smile with every bite .
You can’t eat them alone , so you gotta add mashed potatoes . Creamy , buttery potatoes soak up all that sauce and make your plate look like art . The combo of gravy and potatoes is like a hug for your stomach . It’s perfect when you need dinner fast or want something special on a chilly night .
In this post , I will show how you can make Salisbury meаtbаlls and fluffy mashed potatoes right at home . No fancy skills needed . Just some ground meat , potatoes , and a few spices . Let’s get cooking and bring smiles to the table .
What Are Salisbury Meatballs?
Salisbury meаtbаlls is like a smaller version of Salisbury steak . It started back in the 1800s when Dr. James Salisbury made a steak dish for health . Over time , folks turned it into balls that are easier to eat . Now you can find them all over American tables , from weeknight dinners to big family feasts .
You can use beef , turkey , pork , or a mix . Most recipes add breadcrumbs and an egg so the balls don’t fall apart . Spices like onion powder , garlic , salt , and pepper give each bite a nice pop . Some people add a dash of Worcestershire sauce for extra zing .
These meаtbаlls pack a punch of protein and flavor . When you serve them with potatoes , you get carbs and fats to balance things out . You can keep an eye on calories by picking lean meat or smaller portions , but hey , sometimes you just need that full comfort-food vibe .
Mashed Potatoes : The Perfect Pairing
Mashed potatoes go hand in hand with anything saucy . They are creamy , dreamy , and soak up the gravy so well . A plate without them feels lonely .
Types of Potatoes for Mashing
If you want light and fluffy potatoes , go with Russet . They break down easy and give you that cloud-like feel . Want richer taste ? Yukon Gold is your friend . They have a natural butter flavor and stay a bit dense . Either way , cook them until you can poke through with no fight .
Basic Mashed Potato Recipe
- 2 pounds potatoes (Russet or Yukon Gold)
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup milk or cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
Peel , cube , and boil potatoes until soft . Drain , add butter and hot milk , then mash until smooth . Season with salt and pepper . Easy peasy .
Variations on Mashed Potatoes
Wanna spice things up ? Try these :
- Roasted garlic mashed potatoes for a nutty twist
- Cheesy mash with grated cheddar or Parmesan
- Herby mash with fresh chives or parsley
- Light mash with Greek yogurt or mashed cauliflower
Recipe : Salisbury Meatballs and Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients for Salisbury Meatballs
- 1 pound ground meat (beef , turkey , etc.)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 small onion , chopped
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- Salt and pepper
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- ½ cup ketchup (optional)
Ingredients for Mashed Potatoes
- 2 pounds potatoes
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup milk or cream
- Salt and pepper
Directions for Making Salisbury Meatballs
1 . Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) .
2 . Mix meat , breadcrumbs , egg , onion , garlic , Worcestershire , salt , and pepper . Don’t mash it too much or the meatballs get tough .
3 . Shape into balls about 1 .5 inch wide and place on a baking sheet .
4 . Bake 20-25 minutes , until brown and cooked inside .
5 . Meanwhile , heat beef broth in a pan . Add ketchup if you want it a bit sweet .
6 . Drop cooked meatballs in the sauce and let them simmer 10 minutes .
Directions for Preparing Mashed Potatoes
1 . Peel and chop potatoes , then cover with cold water in a pot .
2 . Boil until you can pierce them with a fork easily , about 15-20 minutes .
3 . Drain and return to pot . Add butter and warm milk .
4 . Mash until smooth and season with salt and pepper .
Combining the Two Dishes
Put a big scoop of mash on your plate and top with 4-5 meаtbаlls . Pour extra gravy over it all . Instant comfort .
Cooking Tips and Tricks
If your meаtbаlls seem dry , mix in a splash of milk or an extra egg . For better sauce , whisk a bit of flour or cornstarch into the broth . Serve with hot gravy for max yum .
Serving Suggestions
Side Dishes to Pair with Salisbury Meatballs
Add some green with steamed broccoli , green beans , or a simple salad . A slice of crusty bread is nice to mop up juice .
Presentation Tips
Place mash in a neat mound and top with meаtbаlls . Drizzle sauce over both , then sprinkle chopped parsley or chives . It looks way fancier than it is .
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are best sauces for Salisbury meatballs?
Gravy made with beef broth is classic . You can add ketchup , BBQ sauce , or even mushroom soup . Try different ones and see what you like .
Can I use frozen meatballs?
Sure . Heat them in sauce until hot , then serve with mash . It’s a quick fix .
How to make this gluten-free?
Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed GF crackers . Make sure broth and ketchup are GF too .
What can substitute mashed potatoes?
Mashed cauliflower , sweet potatoes , or even quinoa works . They all soak up sauce .
Can leftovers be stored and reheated?
Absolutely . Store in a sealed box in the fridge up to 3 days . Reheat in microwave or on stove , adding a bit of broth to keep mash soft .
Conclusion
Salisbury meаtbаlls and mashed potatoes are easy to make and super comforting . They bring ppl together and make every dinner feel special . Try the variations and share with friends or fam . Enjoy !
Salisbury Meatballs and Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Equipment
- 1 mixing bowl
- 1 baking sheet
- 1 skillet or frying pan
- 1 saucepan
- 1 potato masher or electric mixer
- 1 measuring cups and spoons
- 1 knife and cutting board
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- ½ cup milk
- 4 tablespoons butter
- to taste salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, milk, egg, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Form the mixture into meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter, and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until they are cooked through and browned.
- While the meatballs are baking, prepare the mashed potatoes by placing the peeled and cubed potatoes in a large pot, cover with water, and add a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook until fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes.
- Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Add the milk, butter, and additional salt to taste. Mash until smooth and creamy, or use an electric mixer for a fluffier texture.
- For the gravy, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute. Gradually add the beef broth, whisking continuously to avoid lumps.
- Stir in the soy sauce and Dijon mustard, and season with salt and pepper. Simmer until the gravy thickens, about 5-10 minutes.
- Once the meatballs are done, remove them from the oven and add them to the gravy. Let them simmer together for a few minutes.
- Serve the meatballs and gravy over a generous scoop of mashed potatoes.
