Picture this: It's a frosty evening, snow is falling outside, and you're curled up inside your cozy home with a steaming bowl of hearty stew. But this isn't just any stew, its Melted Snowball Meatball Stew! Imagine tender, juicy meatballs swimming in a rich tomato sauce, topped with a creamy, cheesy 'melted snow'. This recipe brings comfort and warmth to those chilly winter nights. The story starts with my grandma, a woman who belived in magic. Every Christmas, she'd craft the most amazing meals, and this stew was always a star. It wasn't just food; it was a hug in a bowl, seasoned with love and laughter. Now, I'm sharing this precious recipe with you, so you can bring a little bit of that magic into your own home.
This stew isn't just delicious; it's incredibly versatile too. You can easily customize it to suit your tastes and dietary needs. Want to add more veggies? Throw in some chopped carrots, celery, or bell peppers. Need a gluten-free option? Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and pasta. Feel free to experiment and make it your own!
Required Equipments
- Large Pot
- Mixing Bowl
- Spatula
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Baking Sheet
- Skillet
Melted Snowball Meatball Stew: Frequently Asked Questions
Melted Snowball Meatball Stew
This Melted Snowball Meatball Stew is a cozy and flavorful dish featuring tender meatballs in a rich tomato sauce, topped with a creamy parmesan sauce that resembles melted snow. It's the perfect comfort food for chilly evenings!
⏳ Yield & Time
Yield: 6 servings
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time:
🍽 Ingredients
📖 Instructions
- First, let's get those snowballs ready! In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, Italian sausage, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, chopped parsley, one egg (lightly beaten), salt, and pepper. Mix everything together gently with your hands until just combined. Don't overmix, or the meatballs will be tough.
- Time to roll! Take about a tablespoon of the meat mixture and roll it into a ball, about 1-inch in diameter. Place the meatball on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat with the remaining meat mixture. You should have about 24 meatballs.
- Now, let's brown those snowballs! Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs in batches (don't overcrowd the pan) and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides. This will take about 5-7 minutes per batch. Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
- Next up, the stew base! In the same large pot you used to brown the meatballs, add the diced onion and cook over medium heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together and bring to a simmer.
- Gently add the browned meatballs to the pot of simmering sauce. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the stew simmer for at least 30 minutes, or up to an hour. The longer it simmers, the more flavorful it will be!
- While the stew is simmering, prepare the 'melted snow'. In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped fresh parsley.
- About 10 minutes before serving, gently stir the heavy cream mixture into the stew. Let it simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cream has thickened slightly and the 'snow' has 'melted' into the stew.
- Serve hot, garnished with extra fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese. And don't forget a side of crusty bread for soaking up all that delicious sauce!
📝 Notes
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the stew.
- Add a bay leaf to the stew while it simmers for extra flavor. Remember to remove it before serving!
- If you like a thicker stew, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cold water and stir it into the stew during the last 10 minutes of simmering.
🍎 Nutrition
Calories: 450 kcal
Protein: 30g
Fat: 25g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 5g
Calcium: 150mg
