Ultra Juicy Meatballs with Creamy Potato Mash and Rich Pan Sauce

I’ve perfected this comforting dish over many years, combining tender, flavorful meatballs with silky mashed potatoes and a velvety pan sauce. This recipe celebrates classic comfort food techniques while ensuring each component reaches its full potential.

Why This Recipe Works

The secret to these exceptionally juicy meatballs lies in the milk-soaked bread (panade) and gentle handling of the meat mixture. Combined with a rich pan sauce and creamy mashed potatoes, this dish delivers restaurant-quality comfort food at home.

Ingredients

For the Meatballs

• 600g (1.3 lbs) mixed minced meat (beef and pork)
• 1 day-old bread roll
• 100ml (⅓ cup) whole milk
• 1 medium onion
• 4 tablespoons (60g) butter
• 1 tablespoon (15g) Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon (15g) tomato paste
• ½ bunch fresh parsley
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon (5g) sea salt
• ½ teaspoon (2g) freshly ground black pepper

For the Pan Sauce

• 1 tablespoon (15g) all-purpose flour
• 250ml (1 cup) vegetable stock
• 4 tablespoons (60ml) fresh lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Potato Mash

• 600g (1.3 lbs) floury potatoes (like Russet)
• 100ml (⅓ cup) whole milk
• 50g (3½ tablespoons) butter
• Freshly grated nutmeg
• Salt to taste

Detailed Instructions

Prepare the Potato Mash

1. Peel and dice potatoes into uniform 1-inch cubes
2. Place in cold salted water and bring to a boil
3. Cook for 20 minutes or until tender
4. Drain thoroughly and return to hot pot
5. Heat milk and butter together until warm
6. Mash potatoes until smooth
7. Gradually add warm milk mixture
8. Season with salt and freshly grated nutmeg
9. Keep warm while preparing other components

Make the Meatballs

1. Dice bread roll and soak in milk for 10 minutes
2. Finely dice onion
3. Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a pan
4. Sauté onion until translucent (5-7 minutes)
5. In a large bowl, combine:

• Minced meat
• Squeezed soaked bread
• Sautéed onions
• Mustard
• Tomato paste
• Chopped parsley
• Egg

1. Season with salt and pepper
2. Gently mix until just combined
3. Form into 12 equal-sized meatballs

Cook the Meatballs and Make Sauce

1. Heat remaining butter in a large skillet
2. Cook meatballs 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally
3. Remove meatballs and keep warm
4. Make the sauce:

• Sprinkle flour into pan drippings
• Cook flour 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly
• Gradually add stock, whisking continuously
• Simmer until slightly thickened
• Add lemon juice
• Season with salt and pepper

Pro Tips

• Don’t overmix the meat mixture
• Use cold hands when forming meatballs
• Allow meatballs to develop a good crust before turning
• For smoothest potatoes, pass through a ricer

Nutritional Information

(Per serving, serves 4)

• Calories: 650
• Protein: 35g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fat: 38g
• Fiber: 3g

Time Requirements

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cooking Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Serving Suggestions

• Garnish with fresh parsley
• Add steamed green vegetables
• Serve with crusty bread
• Pair with a light green salad

Variations

Herbed Version

• Add fresh thyme to meatballs
• Include rosemary in sauce
• Mix herbs into potato mash

Richer Sauce

• Add cream to the sauce
• Include mushrooms
• Deglaze with white wine

Lighter Version

• Use lean meat
• Replace some potato with cauliflower
• Reduce butter quantity

This Ultra Juicy Meatballs recipe creates a complete, satisfying meal that showcases the best of comfort food cooking. The combination of tender meatballs, rich sauce, and creamy potatoes makes this dish perfect for family dinners or special occasions. The key to success lies in treating each component with care – from gently mixing the meatballs to properly mashing the potatoes and creating a smooth, flavorful sauce.

Remember that the quality of your ingredients, especially the meat and potatoes, will significantly impact the final result. Take your time with each step, and you’ll be rewarded with a memorable, delicious meal that’s sure to become a family favorite.