Bjarne's Norwegian Meatballs

Both of my parents are Norwegian. Growing up, my mom used to make these meatballs. Later in life, my dad took over the meal prep, and he became a great cook. My mom did a good job, but my dad perfected the recipe. I think of him every time I make them now.

• Preparation Time: 45 mins
• Cooking Time: 40 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins
• Calories: 351 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• ½ cup milk
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon salt
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 large onion, grated
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 2 tablespoons minced onion
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic (Optional)
• 1 dash white pepper
• 1 dash cayenne pepper
• ¾ cup plain bread crumbs
• 3 pounds 85% lean ground beef

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a jelly roll pan.

Step 2

Combine bread crumbs, milk, eggs, onion, ginger, salt, nutmeg, garlic, and black pepper in a mixing bowl. Let stand until bread crumbs absorb milk, about 5 minutes. Stir until just mixed and add ground beef. Mix until well blended. Shape mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place on the prepared pan.

Step 3

Bake in the preheated oven until browned, about 18 minutes. Set meatballs aside.

Step 4

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Saute onion until tender, about 3 minutes. Stir in flour and cook until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Slowly add broth; cook and stir gravy until smooth and thickened, 5 to 10 minutes. Blend in cream, cayenne pepper, and black pepper.

Step 5

Gently stir cooked meatballs into gravy and heat through, but do not boil, about 5 minutes more.