I’m really not a huge meat person. If you asked me if I wanted meatballs or fish for dinner, fish would win out every single time. But ever since I tried out the sun-dried tomato recipe below, I have loved coming up with new flavors and mixins for the base recipe. These base meatball recipe does not remind me of a greasy comfort food – instead it’s a mix of healthy grass-fed beef, nutritious greens and herbs, egg and breadcrumbs. And it’s really easy to customize! You pretty much can’t screw it up.
Here are three of my first recipes:
This week I went super savory with parmesan cheese and sun-dried tomatoes. My little helper had a great time getting his hands messy, and he actually did a good job making the meatballs! This was one of the first times that making dinner was a fun activity we could do together rather than something I had to try to squeeze into our day.
I love this recipe because of its simplicity. Just mix everything together in a bowl. Form into balls and bake for 25 minutes. Done.
Parmesan Sun-Dried Tomato Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 pound of grass-fed beef I used 90% lean
- 2 eggs
- 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil chopped
- 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Sprinkling of garlic powder or one clove
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425*. Grease a pan with oil or nonstick spray.
- Crack eggs into bowl and whisk with a fork. Add all other ingredients and mix well.
- Form into balls and bake for 25 minutes and temp reaches 160*
I like to serve them over fresh pasta and added some sautéed zucchini and okra from our garden! M loved them (although he’s showing you his apple!) but he did not eat the greens…
Other meals this week!
Yogurt with berries and granola –
Honey Whole Wheat with butter at the bakery – fresh from the oven!
Overnight oats with granola and blackberries. Plus a side of Celestial Seasoning’s Harvest Pumpkin tea. And kiddo feet!
And a southwest salad at Sarah’s house – greens, peppers, tomatoes, black beans, kale veggie burger, feta, olive oil, chips.
Plus watermelon juice by the pool!
We had our final soccer game of the summer last night. We came in second in our division this summer but last night suffered a devastating loss in the first round of playoffs. I’m bummed most of all because I don’t get to play again until September!!
Post-soccer dinner at 9pm – leftover meatballs and a glass of vino.
The whole time I was writing this post I thought it was Thursday. So, Happy Wednesday!
[email protected] says
I am so jealous that you get to eat bakery bread whenever you want! That honey wheat bread looks absolutely amazing!
Cassie says
YUM those meatballs! It’s so cute to see your son cooking with you too!
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
I want to make these with turkey meat! Yum!
Amanda says
Oooh these look delicious! This is similar to how I make my meatballs- the addition of the parmesan cheese makes such a difference. I would love to try adding sun dried tomatoes next time- thanks for the idea!
Emily @ Life on Food says
I am a huge fan of meatballs. I love how you can serve them in so many different ways. I am eyeing these new recipes now! Your bowl looks delicious.
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says
Hi Kath, I would agree with you that I’d usually go for fish over meat, but a tasty meatball like this would pull me in. I buy pre-made turkey meatballs all the time, but this one looks easy enough to conquer. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Tonya says
You win the prize for earliest off-season-mention of pumpkin ANYTHING! 😉
KathEats says
: ) It almost made me wish for fall, but not really. Livin’ up summertime!
[email protected] says
I’m so trying that meatball recipe! Love me some easy recipes. 🙂
Sissy says
So sorry about the soccer game! September will be here before you know it!
It’s so cute to see Mazen cooking with you. When he gets to be old enough to play soccer, do you think you’d like to coach and pass along your love of the game to your son? I think that would be so rewarding!
KathEats says
Yes! I’d love to!
Kate says
Meatballs are so fun! I don’t make them nearly enough, but I’m glad to be reminded how easy they are!
Elizabeth Beil says
I am not a big meat person either but for some reason I love meatballs! They are so light to me and I love how you can use them in a ton of different ways!
Jenny says
Yum! I’ll definitely give your recipe a try. My kids love these too…I use turkey with no problem. Her site is AMAZING. http://www.onceuponachef.com/2009/12/chicken-meatloaf-with-tomato-balsamic-glaze.html
KathEats says
Looks delicious!
Ashley @ Saving Money in your Twenties says
I love that you and Mazen cook together so much!! SO CUTE! It looks like he has so much fun!
amyloispie says
These look great. I wondered if you had any advice regarding portion sizes for a toddler? I noticed that M had 2 meatballs on his plate. Last night my 11 month old ate 4-5 mini meatballs plus other stuff. Do you ever stop M from eating more or wait until he signals/tells you that he’s full? Luckily my son does tell me when he’s full (eventually) but I’ve been surprised at how much he can eat. Thanks for any advice 🙂
KathEats says
He ate 5 to actually! And not much of the pasta. And an apple. And no greens. Some people might think I’m a strict mom when it comes to food, but I just try to present lots of options and let him do all the decision making about what and how much he eats. He’s a typical picky toddler, but he does eat a good variety of foods. It is our job as moms to present healthy food options and their job to decide what and how much to put in their mouths : )
Lori says
My trick to getting my little one to eat the greens is to chop them up. He’d probably gag trying to chew up a big bite of kale or spinach (or broccoli rabe or whatever we’re having), but when I make his plate I put a spoonful on the cutting board and chop it up first, then mix it up with the pasta or whatever we’re having. We encourage him to try mixed bites of everything together. Usually works!
KathEats says
Great tip! M will eat them in things (esp. on pizza!) too. Smoothies always work as well.
Doob says
Oh yes I’ll have to pick up some ground turkey to make the meatballs, I wish I wasn’t allergic to beef.
Kate says
Hey Kath!
I was just wondering how you balance your carb intake and make sure you’re getting adequate protein. I’m trying to up my protein intake while cutting back on carbohydrates but it’s not easy!
KathEats says
I try to have protein, carbs and fat with every meal. If I go heavy on one then I lighten up the next meal
RDW says
So do you not consider fish to be meat then?
KathEats says
I do, but was just referring to beef/pork/lamb as meat
bmrobertson63 says
I have these meatballs in the oven as we speak! They just sounded too good and I had everything on hand. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Elyse says
Yum! I’ll have to try them with gluten-free breadcumbs!
Susan says
Can’t wait to try these meatballs with my 8 year old! Are you coming to BlogHer?
KathEats says
No…wish I were!
Sarah says
I just made 2 batches of your Sun-Dried Tomato Meatballs with Spinach Monday!! I guess great minds think alike!! 🙂 I always keep a few containers in the freezer, and I usually have a meatball as a healthy “snack” right before a hard workout. Keeps me going. Thanks for the recipe.
Dani @ DaniCaliforniaCooks says
I love how easy these are to make! I’ve been wanting to try making meatballs. Yum!
Amanda says
We made these last night and they were A) super easy, and B) very tasty! And I loved that I had all ingredients on hand already!
lisa @bitesforbabies says
I’m not a huge fan of meat either but my kids LOVE meatballs! It’s sometimes the only way I can incoporate veggies into their meals (especially as of late!). They love these;
http://www.bitesforbabies.com/recipes/veal-broccoli-rabe-mini-meatballs/
http://www.bitesforbabies.com/recipes/polpette-with-marinara-sauce/
Lara says
Tried ’em and loved ’em! 🙂 Thanks for this recipe Kath – so good and so simple (like the chicken and bean bake, that’s a regular in our meal rotation now). I’ll make these again for sure.