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The Coziest Smothered Caramelized Onion Meatballs (Dairy Free) Recipe

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4.4 from 21 reviews

These cozy smothered caramelized onion meatballs are a comforting, dairy-free dish featuring tender ground beef and pork meatballs baked to perfection, smothered in a rich cashew cream gravy enhanced by deeply caramelized sweet onions and fragrant herbs. Perfect for a hearty family meal, they pair beautifully with mashed potatoes, rice, or polenta.

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 6 servings (20-24 meatballs)

Ingredients

Cashew Cream Gravy

  • 1/2 cup raw cashews
  • 2 cups chicken broth

Caramelized Onions & Flavor Base

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 medium sweet onions, cut in half and very thinly sliced lengthwise
  • 5 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
  • 1 tablespoon coconut aminos
  • 1 teaspoon all-purpose seasoning (or 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning)
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Meatballs

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 pound ground pork
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons coconut aminos
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon coconut flour
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup caramelized onions and garlic (reserved from the cooked mixture)

Instructions

  1. Time Saving Prep: Begin caramelizing the onions in a skillet while simultaneously prepping the garlic, thyme, dried spices, and meatball ingredients to maximize efficiency.
  2. Soak the Cashews: In a small, heatproof bowl, cover raw cashews with just boiled water to soak while you prepare the rest of the recipe. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
  3. Caramelize the Onions: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the thinly sliced sweet onions and stir frequently. As the onions brown and stick (around 8 minutes), add a splash of water (2-3 tablespoons) to lift caramelized bits from the pan bottom. Repeat this 5-6 times throughout the 25-30 minute caramelization until onions are deeply golden and volume is reduced by more than half. Lower heat if necessary to avoid burning. Add chopped garlic and one more splash of water, sauté for 3-4 minutes until garlic is tender. Reserve 1/2 cup of this onion and garlic mixture to cool. Stir in nutritional yeast, coconut aminos, all-purpose seasoning, and thyme; sauté for another 30 seconds, then remove from heat.
  4. Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, pork, egg, tomato paste, coconut aminos, fresh parsley, onion powder, garlic powder, coconut flour, kosher salt, black pepper, and the cooled caramelized onion and garlic mixture. Gently mix using a fork to combine without overworking the meat for tender meatballs.
  5. Shape and Bake Meatballs: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a cookie or ice cream scoop, portion 20-24 golf-ball sized meatballs and roll them gently with wet hands to prevent sticking. Arrange evenly on the baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until cooked through.
  6. Make Cashew Cream Gravy: When meatballs have about 10 minutes left, drain soaked cashews and blend with 2 cups chicken broth on high speed for 1-2 minutes until silky smooth with no cashew pieces. Return the skillet with caramelized onions to medium heat, pour in the cashew cream, and simmer gently, scraping up browned bits to incorporate flavor. Reduce heat and let the gravy thicken slightly.
  7. Finish the Dish: When meatballs are done, transfer them carefully into the skillet with the creamy onion gravy, leaving behind any released baking juices. Simmer together for 3-5 minutes, spooning gravy over the meatballs. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. The gravy will thicken further as it cools but can be thinned with extra broth if desired. Serve hot, ideally over mashed potatoes, rice, or polenta with your favorite vegetable side.

Notes

  • Wetting hands with water helps to shape the meatballs without sticking.
  • Caramelizing onions slowly enhances sweetness and depth of flavor; don’t rush this process.
  • Coconut aminos provide a savory umami note and substitute for soy sauce in this dairy-free recipe.
  • The cashew cream gravy is rich yet dairy-free and can be adjusted for thickness by adding more broth.
  • Meatballs can be served with mashed potatoes, rice, or polenta along with vegetables for a complete meal.
  • Author: ELLA
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Dairy Free

Find it online: https://ellarecipe.com/the-coziest-smothered-caramelized-onion-meatballs-dairy-free-recipe/