Description
Cajun Meatball Stew is a warm, hearty dish featuring tender spiced meatballs simmered in a rich, flavorful broth loaded with aromatic vegetables and a signature Cajun spice blend. Perfect for cozy nights or casual dinners, this stew combines bold Southern flavors with satisfying textures, offering comfort and excitement in every spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef, pork, or a blend
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg, beaten
Stew Base
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional
- 1 cup sliced okra
- Rice or French bread, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatballs: Mix ground meat with Cajun seasoning, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, and beaten egg until combined. Form into evenly sized meatballs. Brown in a skillet over medium heat until golden on all sides, then set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same pot, sauté diced onions, bell peppers, and celery until soft and fragrant, forming the aromatic base of the stew.
- Build the Stew Base: Add minced garlic, crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, dried thyme, and bay leaves to the sautéed vegetables. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer to allow flavors to meld.
- Combine and Simmer: Carefully add the browned meatballs back into the pot. Let the stew simmer gently for 20 to 30 minutes, allowing meatballs to cook through and absorb the flavorful broth.
- Final Touches: If using, stir in sliced okra about 10 minutes before cooking finishes. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or extra Cajun seasoning according to taste.
Notes
- Use fresh Cajun seasoning for the best flavor balance.
- Brown meatballs in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan and to develop a nice crust.
- Simmer stew slowly and gently to deepen flavors and tenderize meatballs.
- Adjust heat gradually by starting with mild spice and adding more cayenne or hot sauce as desired.
- Allow the stew to rest off heat for 15 minutes before serving to enhance flavor harmony.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Cajun, Meatball Stew, Southern, Spicy, Comfort Food, Hearty, One-Pot, Stew
