Easiest Ever Meatballs

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner, while ground pork is often less expensive.

bread crumbs

🥗Healthier: oats

💰Cheaper: crushed crackers

Oats provide fiber and are a healthier alternative.

Parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated cheddar

Nutritional yeast is dairy-free and adds a cheesy flavor.

egg

🥗Healthier: flaxseed meal

💰Cheaper: applesauce

Flaxseed meal acts as a binder and is plant-based.

Mince 2 garlic cloves and 1 shallot.

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a pot over medium heat.

Add minced garlic and shallot to the pot and sauté for about 3 minutes until aromatic.

Pour in the crushed tomatoes and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, then let it sit.

In a separate bowl, combine 1/2 cup Panko and 1/2 cup milk and mix, letting it sit for a moment.

Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, and 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder to the Panko mixture.

Grate 2/3 cup pecorino cheese and add it to the mixture.

Add 1 pound of ground beef to the mixture and gently mix until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat.

Divide the mixture into 12 meatballs, each about 3 tablespoons in size.

Heat 1.5 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.

Brown 4 meatballs in the skillet for about 2-4 minutes, rotating to brown all sides.

Add the browned meatballs to the pot with the tomato sauce, then nestle the rest of the meatballs into the sauce.

Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium-high heat, then cover and reduce heat to low.

Cook for 18-22 minutes, flipping and rotating the meatballs halfway through cooking.

Check the internal temperature of the meatballs, aiming for 155°F.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens