Warm, hearty, meaty and substantial, Meatballs and Corn takes me right back to my childhood in its comfort-foodie straightforwardness. Considering the butter, beef, bacon, and cream, it’s also quite a stick-to-your-ribs indulgence.
Ingredients
- For the meatballs:
5 Tbs finely minced yellow onion (from ~1/4 of an average-size onion)
5 Tbs finely minced green pepper (from ~1/3 of an average-size pepper)
4 Tbs butter, divided
1 lb. lean, ground beef
1 tsp salt
Pinch of pepper
Pinch of thyme
1 egg
1 Tbs steak sauce
Flour
- For the corn:
4 slices bacon, diced
1 bag (14 oz.) frozen corn
1 bag (10.8 oz.) frozen Brussels sprouts
3/4 of a medium yellow onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
1 jalapeno pepper chopped
2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried thyme
As much as 1/4 tsp cayenne, optional
1/4 cup diced roasted red bell pepper
½ cup heavy cream
Directions
- Make the meatballs:
- In a large, cast-iron skillet, cook the onion and pepper in 2 Tbs butter over med-low heat (setting 2 of 9) until very tender, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Off heat.
- While the vegetables are cooking, melt remaining 2 Tablespoons of butter and place it with the beef, salt, pepper, thyme, egg, and steak sauce into a stand mixer. Paddle on lowest speed, 15 seconds. Once the vegetables are done, add them to the burger mix, using spatula to make sure you’re adding all the butter from the skillet as well. Mix 15 seconds on lowest speed. Flour your hands and form the burger mixture into 8 equal-sized meatballs (about 2.8 oz. each). Refrigerate the meatballs while you skip ahead and complete the corn.
- Dust the meatballs in flour. Heat a nonstick griddle over highest flame. Fry the meatballs, turning carefully every 3 minutes and turning down the heat each time you do, winding up with a very low flame. (It should take at least 4 or 5 turns to brown the meatballs, so if you start out on a heat setting such as 8, you should finish up with the setting on 2.) Snuggle the meatballs into the corn. Sprinkle with reserved bacon.
- Make the corn:
- Place the bacon into the (unwashed) skillet you used for the onions and peppers. Light a medium flame under it (setting 4), and cook, stiring occaisonally, until the bacon is crispy, 8.5 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside. Allow rendered fat to remain in pan.
- Continuing on the same heat setting, stir the corn, onion, jalapeno, and seasonings into the pan. Cook until the veg is softened, stirring often, 10 minutes. Off heat.
- Pre-heat the broiler. Use kitchen shears to snip the sprouts in half, while still in the pan. Slide the pan into the broiler and broil until the veg takes on a char, 6-8 minutes, checking frequently. Turn off the oven. Sprinkle the red pepper over the dish, pour the cream over it, and gently stir. Cover the pan, and let it rest in the warm oven as you finish the meatballs.
Without the cayenne, this isn’t spicy at all. The cream neutralizes whatever heat there may be in the jalapeno.
My turning-down-the-heat method is designed to deeply brown the meatballs without burning them, while getting them cooked through to my liking – which is about 155°F. You should alter this method, or use a different one, if you want to cook the meatballs to the recommended 160-165°F range.
,
Cajun-Inspired Meatballs and Corn
Credit for images on this page: Make It Like a Man!, unless otherwise indicated. References for this post: Chili Pepper Madness, Gimme Some Oven. Thank you, Kesor. This content was not solicited by anyone, nor was it written in exchange for anything. Make It Like a Man! has been ranked by Feedspot as #14 in the Top 30 Men’s Cooking Blogs. Keep up with us on Bloglovin’.
We love meatballs and cajun flavours too. Looks so tasty Jeff!
Thanks, Neil!
Meatballs are a staple in our house and I would eat anything with bacon, even the vegetables!
angiesrecipes recently posted…Roggenmischbrot German Mixed Rye Bread with Honey
Thanks, Angie!
Wow. I accept the offer to indulge! So many delicious rich ingredients going into one pan. Corn and bacon is so dreamy together, and along with everything else, oh my! I’m so in! 🙂 ~Valentina
Thanks, Valentina!
This looks delicious! What a fabulous meal.
Thank you, Lori!
I can almost smell the delicious aroma from that skillet. Looks delicious, and I’m betting it tastes even better with those ingredients.
Thanks, Judy!
I love one pan meals and although I don’t eat meatballs, I can appreciate all the wonderful ingredients in this hearty dish- so many interesting flavors and vegetables.
Thanks, Judee!
Great flavors, colors, and textures in this — just beautiful, Jeff. Definitely one to add to our weekly menu.
Thanks, David!
Meatballs? Cajun? That’s all I need to know. 🙂 This looks terrific — thanks.
John+/+Kitchen+Riffs recently posted…Creamy Lettuce Soup
Thank you, John!
That’s a meal and a half. It looks great. When did you develop this recipe?
Thank you. Hmm, maybe three months ago?
I’m sitting in a taverna in Greece as I eyeball your meatballs. And the waiter in his heavy Greek accent looks over my shoulder and I guess he thinks I am trying to communicate what I want to eat. I seriously think I am getting meatball as. We’ll see. GREG
Hahaha! I’m sure they’ll be delicious! So glad you’re onto your new adventure.
Jeff, this is a great dish. Meatballs and corn is an interesting combination. Love it!
Thanks for sharing your recipe with us.
Best,
Velva
Thanks, Velva!
I’m used to seeing meatballs served in a thick tomato sauce- this is refreshing to see them served in an array of vegetables. Love the addition of bacon in the recipe!
Thanks, Fran!
A combination of veggies that I never would have thought of to combine with meatballs, never clever.
Karen (Back Road Journal) recently posted…Nicole’s Coconut Custard Tarts
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Very creative. Love these Cajun meatballs idea. Must taste amazing. Something to try next weekend, Thanks.
You’re welcome!
Delicius recipe, thank you! Wishes from Lithuania!
You’re welcome!
I love a one skillet meal and who doesn’t like meatballs. Interesting choice of vegetables to cook with the meatballs. Interesting in the fact of being quite creavtive and delicious. This is a keeper.
mjskitchen recently posted…Corona Beans with Roasted Tomato Garlic Sauce
Thanks, MJ!