Pot Roast-Style Meatballs
Happy Day-After-Thanksgiving Everyone!
Did you all have a great holiday with their families? Cook a lot? Eat too much? Watch lots of TV?
Was anyone brave enough to venture out this morning for Black Friday- I hope not. Honestly I just don’t think it’s worth the effort anymore. The Internet and online shopping has (I think) done a good job of making it so that there doesn’t necessarily have to be such a rush or panic for good deals. Granted, there are some things that you have to go and stand in line to get, but c’mon, honestly: are they REALLY worth it?
Alright, alright. I confess: I have participated in Black Friday a handful of times before. But it was mostly during the 90’s, when online shopping was just getting started and stores were only making their deals available in-house. It does give you a weird kind of adrenaline rush, but not a particularly enjoyable one. Me, I’m a worrier: so naturally, the build up to Black Friday for someone like me would be the fear that I’m getting up early in the morning, risking my safety and raising my stress level for something I’m not even 100% guaranteed to get. What if I can’t run fast enough when they open the doors? What if I’m next to some psycho crazy woman who elbows me in the face as we’re reaching for the same thing? What if someone literally tries to take it out of my cart or hands even if I do get it?
Not that any of that has actually happened to me before (in fact, on the few occasions I did go out for Black Friday, I got what I wanted), but I say all of that just to emphasize that my personality is just not suited for all that craziness. I don’t like conflict, chaos or mean people…and that’s basically what Black Friday is ALL about. So I just stay out of it now.
So, this is Pot Roast weather. You have to make pot roast during the winter. It’s pure comfort food that sticks to your ribs and just make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Problem is, depending on the size of the meat, it can be a little time consuming. I encountered this problem a little while ago when I wanted some pot roast, but #1, didn’t have enough time to make it, and #2, didn’t really want to pay full price on a piece of good beef that wasn’t on sale at the grocery store. What was on sale though, was the ground turkey, which gave me the idea of trying to replicate the flavors typically found in pot roast, in a meatball. It worked out very well with my Pizza Meatballs, so I didn’t see why it would be so bad to try it out here.
This may not be true pot roast, but I am still really happy with how it turned out. The flavors still REALLY do come out in the meatballs, and because they’re ground turkey, you can feel a little bit better about having them versus red meat (if you care about watching your red meat intake anyway). If you read the recipe, you will see that I did cut some corners and used one of those Liptons packets to make my gravy. If you’re a purist who believes in only flour-roux based gravy, then that’s fine. Make it that way. I was just in a hurry and needed some gravy for my pot roast meatballs, and this does the job in a pinch. All in all, this is dish turned out really good. It’s not pot roast, but it definitely still has that comforting, stick to your ribs quality that’s really good for this time of year.
I was very glad that Angie@TheNoviceGardener asked me back to co-host this weeks Fiesta Friday #44 with my good friend Prudy@ButterBasilandBreadcrumbs. It’s a real treat, and I hope all of you can join us, as we always have a lot of fun. If you’re interested in swinging by to contribute, or even just to see what the rest of us are bringing to the party this week, then just click the icon link below. Hope to see you there!
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Pot Roast-Style Meatballs
Recipe by Jess
Ingredients
For Meatballs
- 3 lbs. ground turkey
- 1 lb. Turkey sausage
- 1 packet (.87 oz) of onion (or brown) gravy mix (Like Liptons)
- 2 tsp. dried oregano
- 1 tsp. dried basil
- 1/4 tsp. ground thyme
- A few dashes of Worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/2 cups Panko breadcrumbs (and 1/2 cup more, if needed)
- 1 egg, beaten
For Gravy
- 1 packet of Brown gravy mix (Like Liptons)
- 1-2 tbsp. flour
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350°. Place a wire rack over a half sheet pan and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside
2. Combine all ingredients for meatballs together in a large bowl. If mixture feels too wet to shape, then add remaining half cup of breadcrumbs.
3. Shape meat into golf-ball sized meatballs and place onto wire rack. Bake in oven for 35 to 45 minutes, or until meatballs reach an inner temperature of 165° F.
4. Follow package instructions for gravy, adding additional flour to thicken, if desired. Drizzle on top of the meatballs and serve with white rice or egg noodles.
All of the above! I cooked a lot, ate way too much, watched the games on TV, and best of all, spent a wonderful day with my family! Apart from the cooking, everything went as perfectly as it could. Not that the cooking wasn’t good, but it can always use some improvement, you know what I mean? 😀 Thanks for co-hosting, Jess! Now where’s Prudy? Still in a food coma? These meatballs sound and look so YUM, Jess!
Hi Jess – Black Friday is becoming a bit of a big deal in London too but I’m with you – will do anything to avoid crowds full of mean and nasty! Love the sound of your meatballs – Happy Fiesta Friday and thanks for co-hosting!!
Oh no…. this is not good. Not good for me at least- at all. I’ve been on a meatball RAMPAGE! And these look soooooooo good- shoot. I’m gonna have to try them. Why are meatballs my weakness?! Daahhh! Well thanks for sharing these, and thanks for hosting Fiesta Friday this week Jess!
Oh they look good, I would never thought of having with rice. I definitely agree about avoiding the crowds, Black Friday has now hit the UK.
Love this idea. I really love pot roast and a a real fan of meatballs so this dish sounds like the perfect dish and a big plus is that its done in the oven. Delicious Jess.
Black Friday sounds terrifying to me, it’s made it’s way over here to the UK now too! Although we still don’t have Thanksgiving, I think we’re doing it backwards! It’s just not worth the stress if you ask me, and I think you’re more likely to end up buying something you didn’t intend to just because it was a bit cheaper, which is kind of the opposite of saving money haha!
On the other hand, these meatballs look totally worth it and definitely much less effort, yummy!
Hi, Jess!
These meatballs look like the perfect comfort food. We had a great holiday, although I did none of the cooking. I was traveling home for the holidays, so my mom cooked my meal. We actually eat out on Thanksgiving, but I pack my own meal (celiac & food allergy thing). My sister and I used to go black Friday shopping, but not like what you’re thinking. We would go to the quietest mall, and roam around stores that barely had deals just because they were open early and the mall was open. Plus, Santa would be there! And, there weren’t many little kids in line. 🙂
It sounds like you had a wonderful holiday. Thank you so much for hosting FF this week. I absolutely love Fiesta Fridays. 🙂
My gosh these look so good! And no, it is not worth it to me! For that matter tax free back to school weekend isn’t either. Happy FF and weekend to you!!
That’s one delicious hearty meal Jess 🙂 Last night we went to Dominos and I couldn’t help thinking of you. You must be wondering why!!!! 😀 lol 😀 Actually , I love everything Dominos makes. It is just so yummm..I was trying their stuffed garlic bread and Calzone pockets and I liked them so much that, I thought of you again. Why??? Remember you did a Pizza Hut series, pan pizza and bread sticks. I thought if someone could make these at home, it had to be Jess 🙂 So, if you are planning to do any such thing in future, please let me know. Their cheese burst pizza and calzone pockets are to die for 🙂
What a great idea for a shortcut and still being able to enjoy a “pot roast” meal. Btw I am not a Black Friday Shopper, I can’t handle the crowds, not much of an online shopper either, its too tempting when you see all the deal, anyhow thanks for sharing your wonderful recipe:)
I totally got caught up in the Black Friday thing. Well, let me explain…. I wanted to pick up ingredients for Christmas cookies yesterday, so I texted Katie to see if she wanted to go to Target with me (I figured Target would be perfect, because I could pick up a few ornaments and such for props, you know?)… well…. five hours later… I got home with way more than cookie ingredients. And I don’t believe in Black Friday!! I can’t believe that I got so caught up in it this year… and not to mention…it made me late for Fiesta Friday!! (Thanks for the text..<3)
So let's talk about these meatballs… pure genius. Honestly Jess… they look so delicious. I'm totally making these. I think even Mike would love them (without the green onion, of course.. ) 🙂
I'm so happy to be co-hosting with you this weekend… it's always a pleasure, because, well, you know…I adore you. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful recipe with all of us, and thank you for asking me to co-host with you! I've had a wonderful time… so many delicious recipes!!
Happy Fiesta Friday!! <3
In Italy we don’t have the Black Friday, so when I moved to Canada and I heard about it I found myself obliged to google this word…. can you believe it??? Btw your turkey meatballs look glorious, thanks a lot for co-hosting… I hope you had a great long weekend!
I love your idea for Pot Roast-Style Meatballs! I haven’t made pot roast in years because it’s too much food now that the kids have grown and it’s only the two of us. Your solution is perfect.
It looks super yummy and thank you for co-hosting this week Fiesta Friday, Jess 🙂
Yum! I shouldn’t look at such delicious things while I’m hungry! XD
I like the combination of turkey and turkey sausage – love my meatballs 🙂
Hey, Jess! This is the perfect winter-time dish! So warm and cozy! I know I’m a wee bit late, but thanks so much for co-hosting FF! Everyone really appreciates it! Have an awesome week! 😀
Black friday is not there in kuwaitt or dubai.so iv never been to one. But from the sound of it i don feel like attending one. I hate crowds soo much.
The meatballs look soo delicious. Luv to try them.
These look amazing–what a great idea! Who can resist a pot roast/meatball combination? 🙂
I love your delicious recipes – I am glad I found you!