Tender, protein-packed meatballs in a savory, creamy mushroom gravy — WW-approved comfort food!
👌 Recipe Snapshot
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- WW Points: ~2–3 Points per serving
🔹 Ingredients Checklist
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb 96% lean ground beef
- 1/4 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk (or skim milk)
- 1 egg
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Salt & pepper to taste
For the Mushroom Sauce:
- 1 tsp olive oil or cooking spray
- 1 1/2 cups mushrooms, sliced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp whole wheat flour
- 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
- 2 tbsp light sour cream or plain nonfat Greek yogurt
- Fresh thyme or parsley (optional)
📌 Total WW Points
- Whole Recipe: ~9 Points
- Per Serving (1/4): ~2–3 Points
👩🍳 Instructions
- Mix Meatballs: In a mixing bowl, combine beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, and seasonings. Form into ~16 small meatballs.
- Cook Meatballs: Spray a nonstick skillet. Brown meatballs on medium heat until cooked through, about 7–10 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté Veggies: In the same pan, heat olive oil or spray. Add onions and mushrooms; cook until golden (5–6 minutes). Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Build Sauce: Sprinkle flour, stir 30 seconds. Gradually add broth while stirring. Simmer until sauce thickens.
- Creamy Finish: Stir in sour cream or yogurt. Season with salt, pepper, and herbs if desired.
- Combine & Simmer: Return meatballs to pan. Coat in sauce. Simmer 2–3 more minutes.
💚 Notes & Tips
- Use plain Greek yogurt to lighten the sauce with zero points.
- For even browning, avoid overcrowding the pan when searing meatballs.
- Let sauce simmer gently to avoid curdling the yogurt.
Why You’ll Love It
If cozy, creamy, protein-rich comfort food sounds like your kind of dinner, this WW Gourmet Meatball recipe is your new weeknight go-to. Packed with lean beef, hearty mushrooms, and a rich yet lightened-up gravy, it’s proof that healthy can still feel indulgent.
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Cooking Guide
Making the Meatballs
Roll your meatballs uniform in size for even cooking. Use damp hands to prevent sticking.
Browning to Perfection
Don’t rush! Let meatballs brown undisturbed for a couple of minutes before turning. It develops deeper flavor.
Creating the Gravy
Sauté onions until translucent and mushrooms are golden. Stir constantly while adding flour and broth to avoid lumps.
Final Simmer
Once meatballs return to the pan, gently simmer so the sauce clings perfectly and flavors meld.
🥜 Ingredient Substitutions
- Breadcrumbs: Use quick oats or almond flour for a gluten-free option.
- Greek Yogurt: Swap for light sour cream or reduced-fat cream cheese.
- Beef: Try ground turkey or chicken for a leaner base.
🥘 Serving Ideas & Variations
Serving Pairings
- Spoon over cauliflower mash (0 Points)
- Serve with steamed green beans or roasted carrots
- Add a side of egg noodles or mashed sweet potato
Flavor Twists
- Add Worcestershire sauce to the meat mix for umami depth
- Stir a dash of Dijon mustard into the gravy for extra zing
- Sprinkle with smoked paprika or crushed red pepper
❄️ Storage & Meal Prep
- Fridge: Store in airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in sauce up to 2 months.
- Reheat: Gently on stove or microwave with a splash of broth to rehydrate sauce.
- Make-Ahead: Form and refrigerate meatballs a day in advance; cook when ready.
📊 Nutrition (Per Serving)
- Calories: ~210 kcal
- Protein: 22g
- Carbs: 7g
- Fat: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- WW Points: 2–3 (approx)
❓ FAQs
Q: Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
A: Yes! It may reduce WW points and still gives great flavor.
Q: Can I freeze this recipe?
A: Absolutely. Freeze meatballs in sauce and thaw overnight for easy reheating.
Q: Is sour cream better than yogurt in the sauce?
A: Both work. Yogurt is lighter; sour cream gives a more classic creamy finish.
📓 Final Notes & Engagement
This recipe is one of those feel-good, WW-friendly meals you’ll want on repeat. If you make it, let us know how it turned out or what twist you added!
👍 Loved it? Share with a fellow WW buddy or pin it to your dinner board!
