Here’s a detailed guide to making Amish Meatball Noodles, a comforting and hearty classic from Amish cuisine:
Amish Meatball Noodles Overview
This dish combines tender homemade meatballs with egg noodles in a savory, slightly sweet sauce. It’s a traditional Amish comfort food, often served for family dinners or gatherings.
- Texture: Soft noodles, tender meatballs, and rich sauce
- Flavor: Savory with mild sweetness and warm spices
- Servings: 4–6
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or a mix of beef and pork
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 egg
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder (optional)
For the Noodles and Sauce:
- 12 oz (340 g) wide egg noodles
- 2 tbsp butter or oil
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar or maple syrup (optional, for slight sweetness)
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1–2 tbsp flour or cornstarch (optional, to thicken sauce)
Instructions
1. Make the Meatballs
- In a bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, milk, onion, egg, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Form into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
2. Brown the Meatballs
- Heat butter or oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Brown meatballs on all sides (they don’t need to cook through completely as they will finish cooking in the sauce).
3. Prepare the Noodles
- Cook egg noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
4. Make the Sauce
- In the same skillet, add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Stir and bring to a simmer.
- Optionally, mix flour or cornstarch with a little water and add to the sauce to thicken.
5. Combine Meatballs and Noodles
- Add browned meatballs to the sauce, cover, and simmer 10–15 minutes until meatballs are cooked through.
- Gently fold in cooked egg noodles until coated in sauce.
6. Serve
- Serve warm, optionally topped with chopped parsley for garnish.
Tips for Best Results
- Noodle choice: Wide egg noodles or homemade Amish-style noodles work best.
- Make ahead: Meatballs can be cooked in advance; just reheat in the sauce.
- Flavor boost: Add a splash of cream for richer sauce.
- Vegetable addition: Peas or carrots can be added for extra nutrition.
💡 Fun Fact:
- Amish cuisine often focuses on hearty, simple ingredients and family-style meals. This dish reflects that tradition: nourishing, easy to make, and perfect for feeding a crowd.
If you want, I can also make a slow-cooker version of Amish Meatball Noodles that’s hands-off and perfect for busy days.
Do you want me to do that?
