Meat Balls In Wine Sauce
Tender meatballs simmered in a rich wine and cream sauce, perfect for elegant dinners or cozy family meals with a flavorful, aromatic profile.
Ingredients
- 1 cup soft bread crumbs ⓘ
- 2/3 cup milk ⓘ
- 1 pound ground beef ⓘ
- 1 egg ⓘ
- 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped onion ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon mace ⓘ
- 1/8 teaspoon allspice ⓘ
- 2 1/2 teaspoons salt ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons butter or margarine ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons flour ⓘ
- 1 can cream of celery soup ⓘ
- 1 cup white wine ⓘ
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk ⓘ
Instructions
- Soak bread crumbs in milk for 5 to 10 minutes in a bowl.
- Add ground beef, well-beaten egg, chopped onion, mace, allspice, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and pepper to the bread crumbs and milk mixture.
- Shape the mixture into small balls approximately the size of a walnut.
- Heat butter in a large skillet and brown the meatballs on all sides.
- Add flour to the drippings in the skillet and stir well.
- Stir in cream of celery soup, white wine, evaporated milk, and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt.
- Simmer the meatballs in the sauce until cooked through and flavors meld.
Tips & Substitutions
For a flavorful twist, consider adding grated parmesan cheese to the meat mixture. If you don't have mace, nutmeg can be a good substitute. You can also use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version. If you prefer a thicker sauce, add a bit more flour while stirring in the cream of celery soup.
Serving Suggestions
These meatballs pair beautifully with creamy mashed potatoes or over a bed of egg noodles. For a fresh touch, serve with a side of steamed green beans or a crisp salad. They also make a wonderful appetizer when served with toothpicks and a side of marinara for dipping.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm them in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water or wine to keep them moist. They can also be reheated in the microwave, ensuring not to overcook them to maintain tenderness.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Meat Balls In Wine Sauce contains roughly 1865 calories, with 23g protein, 176g carbohydrates, and 134g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (103% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (94% of the Daily Value), and iron (89% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2518mg per serving (109% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of meat for the meatballs?
Yes, you can use ground turkey, chicken, or pork as alternatives to ground beef. Just keep in mind that the flavor and texture may vary slightly, so adjust seasonings accordingly to enhance the taste.
Is it necessary to use white wine in the sauce?
While white wine adds depth and flavor, you can substitute it with chicken broth or a mixture of grape juice and vinegar for a non-alcoholic version. This will change the flavor profile but still provide a delicious sauce for the meatballs.
How can I make the meatballs gluten-free?
To make gluten-free meatballs, substitute the soft bread crumbs with gluten-free bread crumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers. Additionally, ensure that the cream of celery soup is gluten-free or make your own using cornstarch as a thickener.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).