Comfort food has a way of reaching deep into our souls, offering a sense of peace and nostalgia that few dishes can match. One such classic is Salisbury steak, a dish that evokes warm memories of family dinners and home-cooked meals. But what if we gave this classic a modern, fun twist? Enter Salisbury Steak Meatballs—bite-sized versions of the classic recipe, served with rich brown gravy and creamy mashed potatoes. This dish is everything you love about traditional Salisbury steak, made even more approachable and kid-friendly.
These meatballs are juicy, savory, and bursting with flavor. They’re made from a combination of ground beef, breadcrumbs, and seasonings, seared to perfection, then simmered in a luscious, onion-rich brown gravy. Paired with buttery mashed potatoes, this meal is the definition of hearty and satisfying.
Whether you’re cooking for a hungry family or meal prepping for the week, these meatballs are a game-changer. They cook quickly, store beautifully, and reheat like a dream. The smaller size allows the meat to absorb more flavor from the gravy, making every bite rich and comforting.
The gravy itself is what sets this recipe apart. Made with sautéed onions, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and a touch of Dijon mustard, it adds layers of umami and depth that coat each meatball beautifully. It’s a sauce that could make anything taste good—but it especially complements the seasoned meatballs and mashed potatoes.
This dish is perfect for cooler months, but it’s versatile enough to enjoy year-round. It’s cozy and filling without being overly heavy, making it ideal for weeknight dinners, Sunday family meals, or even special occasions when you want something hearty without a ton of fuss.
The mashed potatoes are classic—boiled until tender, then whipped with butter, milk, salt, and a touch of garlic. They act as the perfect canvas for soaking up all that flavorful gravy, turning each bite into comfort food bliss.
Salisbury Steak Meatballs are also a great make-ahead option. You can prepare the meatballs and gravy in advance, freeze them, and simply reheat when you’re ready. Add freshly made mashed potatoes, and you have a complete meal ready in minutes.
This recipe also scales beautifully. Make a double batch and freeze half, or portion it out into individual servings for a grab-and-go lunch that’ll make your coworkers jealous. It’s the kind of meal that keeps on giving.
At the end of the day, there’s something deeply satisfying about a meal that brings people together and fills the kitchen with the smells of comfort and love. These Salisbury Steak Meatballs do just that—classic, delicious, and endlessly enjoyable.
Servings: 4
Time:
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
Ingredients:
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef (85% lean)
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for searing)
For the Gravy:
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Mashed Potatoes:
- 2 lbs Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/2 cup milk (or plant-based milk)
- Salt to taste
- Optional: 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix together ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, Worcestershire, Dijon, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Form into 16 small meatballs.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs and sear until browned on all sides (about 6–8 minutes total). Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add butter and sliced onions. Sauté until softened (about 5 minutes).
- Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Slowly whisk in beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard. Bring to a simmer.
- Return meatballs to the skillet, cover, and simmer in the gravy for 15 minutes, until fully cooked.
- Meanwhile, boil potatoes in salted water until fork-tender (about 15–20 minutes).
- Drain and mash with butter, milk, salt, and garlic powder (if using) until smooth.
- Serve meatballs and gravy over a bed of mashed potatoes.
- Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Tips:
- Use ground turkey for a lighter version.
- Add mushrooms to the gravy for extra depth.
- Make the mashed potatoes ahead and reheat with a splash of milk.
- Leftover meatballs and gravy freeze well for up to 3 months.
- Pair with steamed green beans or roasted carrots for a complete meal.
Summary: Hearty, rich, and full of flavor, these Salisbury Steak Meatballs with Gravy and Mashed Potatoes are a modern take on a classic comfort food. Easy enough for weeknights, delicious enough for guests.
Salisbury Steak Meatballs with Gravy and Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef 85% lean
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil for searing
For the Gravy:
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 small onion thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Mashed Potatoes:
- 2 lbs Yukon gold potatoes peeled and diced
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/2 cup milk or plant-based milk
- Salt to taste
- Optional: 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix together ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, Worcestershire, Dijon, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Form into 16 small meatballs.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs and sear until browned on all sides (about 6–8 minutes total). Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add butter and sliced onions. Sauté until softened (about 5 minutes).
- Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Slowly whisk in beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard. Bring to a simmer.
- Return meatballs to the skillet, cover, and simmer in the gravy for 15 minutes, until fully cooked.
- Meanwhile, boil potatoes in salted water until fork-tender (about 15–20 minutes).
- Drain and mash with butter, milk, salt, and garlic powder (if using) until smooth.
- Serve meatballs and gravy over a bed of mashed potatoes.
- Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
- Use ground turkey for a lighter version.
- Add mushrooms to the gravy for extra depth.
- Make the mashed potatoes ahead and reheat with a splash of milk.
- Leftover meatballs and gravy freeze well for up to 3 months.
- Pair with steamed green beans or roasted carrots for a complete meal.