Meatballs a La Ritz
Elevate your dinner table with "Meatballs a La Ritz," a comfort food classic with a gourmet twist. These juicy, golden-baked meatballs combine rich ground beef, tender ground pork, and the buttery crunch of Ritz cracker crumbs for a flavor-packed bite. Enhanced with Parmesan cheese and savory spices like garlic and onion powder, each meatball is coated in an irresistibly creamy gravy made from a luscious roux, beef broth, and heavy cream, with a splash of Worcestershire for extra depth. In just 45 minutes, you’ll create a hearty, crowd-pleasing dish perfect for pairing with mashed potatoes, pasta, or crusty bread. Don’t forget the fresh parsley garnish for that final touch of sophistication! Keywords: easy meatballs recipe, Ritz crackers meatballs, creamy gravy, comfort food dinner, baked meatballs.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (80% lean)
- 0.5 lb ground pork
- 24 pieces Ritz crackers
- 1 piece large egg
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 0.5 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C), and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
Crush the Ritz crackers into fine crumbs using a food processor or by placing them in a sealed plastic bag and rolling with a rolling pin.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, crushed Ritz crackers, egg, milk, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and Parmesan cheese. Mix gently with your hands until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
Form the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and fully cooked through (internal temperature should reach 160°F/71°C).
While the meatballs are baking, prepare the sauce. In a large pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring continuously, to make a roux.
Slowly whisk in the beef broth, ensuring there are no lumps. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until the sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
Whisk in the heavy cream and Worcestershire sauce, and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
Add the cooked meatballs to the sauce, gently tossing to coat them evenly. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Garnish with chopped parsley, and serve hot. These meatballs pair beautifully with mashed potatoes, pasta, or crusty bread!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3186 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 240.0 g | 308% | |
| Saturated Fat | 104.0 g | 520% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 931 mg | 310% | |
| Sodium | 5962 mg | 259% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 74.7 g | 27% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.4 g | 5% | |
| Total Sugars | 17.6 g | ||
| Protein | 169.6 g | 339% | |
| Vitamin D | 4.5 mcg | 23% | |
| Calcium | 751 mg | 58% | |
| Iron | 17.2 mg | 96% | |
| Potassium | 1943 mg | 41% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
