Meatballs in Celery Sauce

Meatballs in Celery Sauce is a classic and comforting meal that uses simple ingredients. This dish combines tender pork meatballs with a creamy sauce made from fresh celery and a light roux. It is a great choice for a family dinner during the colder months. You can serve it with boiled potatoes or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
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What makes meatballs in celery sauce a good choice?

This Meatballs in Celery Sauce recipe is very easy to prepare and requires only basic pantry staples. The mild flavour of the celery adds a refreshing crunch and a delicate taste to the rich sauce. It is a budget friendly meal that children and adults will both enjoy. The combination of soft meat and creamy sauce makes it a satisfying main course for any day of the week.

Step by step: meatballs in celery sauce

Step 1
Prepare meatballs: Mix the minced pork with the egg and breadcrumbs in a large bowl. Chop the onion finely and add it to the meat with salt and pepper. Stir everything until the mixture is uniform and holds its shape well. Shape the mixture into small balls about the size of a walnut.
Step 2
Cook meatballs: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a little salt. Carefully drop the pork balls into the boiling water and let them simmer gently. Cook them for about ten minutes until they rise to the surface and are firm. Remove them with a slotted spoon and set them aside while you prepare the sauce.
Step 3
Make sauce: Peel the celery root and cut it into small cubes. Melt the butter in a saucepan and stir in the flour to make a smooth paste. Slowly pour in the stock while whisking to avoid lumps. Add the celery cubes and milk then let the sauce simmer until the celery is tender.
Step 4
Combine all: Place the cooked meatballs back into the saucepan with the celery sauce. Stir gently to coat every meatball in the creamy liquid without breaking them. Let the dish heat through for a few minutes on low heat. Taste the Meatballs in Celery Sauce and add more salt or pepper if needed before serving.

The best tips for meatballs in celery sauce

To get the best texture for your Meatballs in Celery Sauce, try not to overwork the meat mixture. Mixing it too much can make the balls tough rather than light and airy. If you prefer a stronger celery flavour, you can add some chopped celery leaves at the very end. This adds a nice pop of green and extra aroma to the final plate. You can also swap the celery root for sticks of celery if you want a different texture.

Make sure the stock is added slowly to the flour and butter to ensure a perfectly smooth sauce. If the sauce becomes too thick, simply add a splash of milk or water to reach your desired consistency. Using a good quality pork stock will significantly improve the depth of flavour in the dish. Serve the meatballs with fluffy mashed potatoes for a complete and traditional meal.

Find more ideas here: pheasant in cream sauce, big mac sauce or garlic mayonnaise.

Ingredients

servings
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  • 500 g minced pork
  • 1 egg
  • 50 g breadcrumbs
  • 1 onion
  • 300 g celery root
  • 40 g butter
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 500 ml pork stock
  • 100 ml milk
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 pinch black pepper

Cooking time

Kitchen tools

Nutrition information

NUTRITIONper serving
  • Energy:2259 kJ / 540 kcal
  • Fat:28 g
  • - of which saturates:12 g
  • Carbohydrates:18 g
  • - of which sugars:4 g
  • Protein:26 g
  • Fibre:2 g
  • Salt:850 mg

People also ask

It takes about forty five minutes to prepare and cook Meatballs in Celery Sauce from start to finish. You spend twenty minutes preparing the meat and vegetables and twenty five minutes cooking them. This makes it a quick and reliable option for a weekday dinner.
Yes, you can keep leftover Meatballs in Celery Sauce in an airtight container for up to three days. The sauce may thicken when cold so you might need to add a splash of milk when reheating. Heat the dish gently in a saucepan until it is piping hot through.
Traditional sides like boiled potatoes or mashed potatoes are the most popular choices for this meat dish. Some people also enjoy serving it with rice or a piece of fresh bread to enjoy the creamy sauce. Green beans or a simple side salad can provide a nice contrast to the textures.
What do you think of this recipe?
4.7 / 5 - (5 ratings)