Description
This hearty Frying Pan Meatball Hotpot is a comforting British-inspired one-pan dinner featuring tender meatballs simmered with seasonal vegetables and a flavorful tomato-based sauce. Perfect for a cozy family meal, it’s easy to prepare and packed with wholesome ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef or pork (or a mix)
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables & Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 1 cup baby potatoes, halved
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/2 cup beef or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, optional
Instructions
- Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until thoroughly combined, then shape into 12 to 14 small, evenly sized meatballs.
- Brown the Meatballs: Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes, turning occasionally to brown all sides evenly. Once browned, remove the meatballs from the pan and set aside on a plate.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same pan, add the chopped onion and sliced carrots. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and the carrots begin to soften.
- Cook Potatoes: Add the halved baby potatoes to the pan with the onions and carrots. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Stir in the sliced zucchini, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, beef or vegetable broth, and paprika. Mix everything well to combine all the flavors.
- Simmer with Meatballs: Return the browned meatballs to the pan, nestling them gently into the vegetable mixture. Cover the pan with a lid and reduce heat to low. Let the hotpot simmer gently for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the meatballs are cooked through.
- Serve: Garnish the hotpot with fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm, ideally accompanied by crusty bread or steamed rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- You can add green beans or bell peppers for extra vegetables and nutrition.
- Serve with crusty bread or over cooked rice to make the meal heartier.
- Use vegetable broth to keep the dish dairy-free and suitable for various diets.
