Meatballs and Mash

Have you heard of Meatballs and Mash? It is one of the easiest and most delicious combinations of comfort food on this planet. This recipe is ideal for casual weeknight meals or formal events.

It is simple to put together and takes 30 minutes to create from start to finish. This recipe is one of the best recipes for meal-prepping, you can make it for busy weeknights or quick lunches.

Why you will Love this recipe?

It uses store-bought meatballs that take a short amount of time to brown. Along with home-made mashed potatoes, this dish is comforting and deeply simplistic. The meatballs and mash are drizzled with a balsamic reduction.

This recipe is versatile, as you can use your favourite meatballs, whether beef, turkey, or plant-based. You can also make your own homemade meatballs with an assortment of combinations such as Beef and Chicken, Lamb or Turkey. Homemade meatballs comes together relatively fast.

Ingredients

Store-bought Meatballs, Potatoes, Heavy Cream, Celery Salt, Balsamic vinegar, Brown Sugar.

Store-bought meatballs are widely available at most supermarkets as well as butcher shops. They come in a wide variety of flavours. Beef meatballs are considered a classic option that uses different spices. Turkey meatballs are healthier and leaner than beef meatballs. Chicken meatballs use ground chicken, which can be flavoured with many herbs compatible with the meat, such as rosemary or thyme. Vegetarian meatballs are plant-based and are usually made with lentils, chickpeas, and other plant-based proteins.

When it comes to homemade meatballs, we’ve got three fun combinations for you to try today. Consider an Italian meatball, which is made with herbs such as paprika, oregano, and basil. If you’re feeling for meatballs with an Asian flair, consider adding ginger, garlic, and sesame oil. You can also embed mozzarella cheese and jalapeno chilies on the inside of the meatball for more flavour.

Instructions

Prepare the ingredients: Thaw the frozen meatballs, slice the cleaned leek, balsamic vinegar, and sugar, rinse and peel the potatoes, heavy cream, celery salt, and cooking oil.

Cook the ingredients: Preheat a pan on medium-high heat, drizzle the cooking oil, and add meatballs and the sliced leek. Remove the leek after one minute and cook the meatballs for ten minutes, two minutes on each side.

Prepare the mashed potatoes: Cube the potatoes into half an inch sizes. Cutting the potatoes into smaller pieces will reduce the boiling time. Boil the potatoes until they are soft. You can check the potato by poking it with a fork, and the fork will enter without resistance.

When it’s done, drain the water and mash the potatoes with a fork or potato masher. Add the heavy cream, sautéed leek, and celery salt, and then continue to mix the mashed potatoes. Plate the mashed potatoes and the meatballs, drizzle the balsamic reduction to serve.

What to Serve with Meatballs and mashed potatoes?

Meatballs and mashed potatoes are a complete meal; however, you can always add more side dishes to balance the meal. Incorporating fresh, sautéed, or roasted vegetables, such as fresh green salad, sautéed spinach, or Roasted Brussels sprouts, will balance the nutritional value. Adding pickles or relish to the meatballs and mashed potatoes is also a wonderful combination of flavours.

How do you Store Meatballs and mashed potatoes?

Bring the meatballs and mashed potatoes to room temperature. If possible, it is best to store them separately. Keep the food in airtight containers, which can be stored in the fridge for up to three to four days. The meatballs can be frozen for up to two to three months; however, freezing mashed potatoes is not advisable as they may lose their texture and flavor when frozen.

Reheating the meatballs can be done on the stovetop or in the microwave. To reheat on the stovetop, place the meatballs on a pan and set the temperature to medium-low heat. Add a teaspoon of oil or butter, roll the meatballs around to coat them with oil, cover the lid, and reheat for two minutes or until they are warm. 

To reheat in the microwave, place the meatballs on a plate and cover them with a microwave-safe lid. Spin the microwave for two minutes and add an extra thirty seconds to achieve the desired temperature. The same process can be done for both methods for the frozen meatballs; just make sure to thaw the meatballs before reheating.

If you are hungry and want to reheat the mashed potatoes as soon as possible, use the microwave. Add the portion that you want to serve, cover with a microwave-safe lid, put on maximum powder, and spin for two minutes. If you want creamy and smooth reheated mashed potatoes, use the stovetop. Place the mashed potatoes in a pan, add one tablespoon of milk or butter, and reheat for two minutes while continuously stirring the mashed potatoes.