Healthy Meatballs Recipe

An iron skillet filled with marinara sauce and meatballs.

Healthy Meatballs Recipe

Melt in your mouth Healthy Meatball recipe without the guilt! Use low fat ground beef to keep this recipe full of protein and super flavorful.

Course Main Dish

Cuisine Italian

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 50

Total Time 1

Servings servings

Calories 246kcal

Author Ana Frias

Ingredients

2 pounds 96% lean ground beef
3/4 cup freshly grated Romano or Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic
1 cup italian bread crumbs
2 eggs whisked
1 1/2 tablespoons flat leaf parsley finely chopped
1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup lukewarm water
2 tablespoons olive oil For searing the meatballs
2 jars of your favorite marinara sauce

Instructions

In a large bowl add all ingredients (except olive oil and marinara sauce) and combine with your hands until everything is mixed through. Shape into 1 inch meatballs.
Heat a large pot or skillet over medium high heat.
Sear meatballs in two batches using 1 tablespoon of olive oil each time. Turn the meatballs about 3 times and cook them 2 minutes per side.
Remove from heat and set aside on a plate. Repeat this process until all meatballs are cooked.
On the same pot or skillet, add the marinara sauce and deglaze until all of the brown bits from the meat blend into the sauce.
Return the meatballs to the pot and cook for an additional 30 to 45 minutes until soft.
Baking Option: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet with a little space between each, and bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until browned and cooked through. Transfer them to your simmering sauce for the last 10 to 15 minutes so they can soak up the flavor.
Serve warm.

Notes

Serve with your favorite pasta or make a meatball sub.

Why they might fall apart

If your meatballs are breaking up in the pan, it's usually one of two things: the pan wasn't hot enough before you added them, so they stuck and tore when you tried to turn them, or they were handled too much while shaping. Shape them gently, just enough to hold together, and let the pan get properly hot before searing.

Nutrition